The San Isidro and Peñaranda Solar-Powered Pump Projects of the NIA Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (UPRIIS) Division IV located at Brgy. Pulo, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija and Brgy. San Josef, Peñaranda, Nueva Ecija was inaugurated on July 27, 2021.
NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya, Deputy Administrator Romeo G. Gan, UPRIIS Department Manager Rosalinda B. Bote and Division IV Manager Wilfredo A. Balauro led the ceremonies in three solar powered pump sites with Guest Local Chief Executives, Congresswoman Maricel Natividad-Nagaño; Representative of Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio Umali, Executive Assistant V Ferdinand Abesamis; and Representative of San Isidro Mayor Vina Lopez, Councilor Carlos Francisco.
The event involved the unveiling of the building marker, ribbon cutting, ceremonial blessing of the solar powered pumps, ceremonial test run of the pumps, and a program wherein NIA Administrator Visaya was the Guest of Honor and Speaker. Following immediately the program was a media briefing and awarding of plaque of appreciation by the Contractor Equator Energy Corporation by Col. Bernardo F. Fabula.
Joining also the celebration were the Division Managers and key staff from NIA Central Office and UPRIIS, Irrigators Associations Presidents Dante Lazatin (UCFIA President), Jaime Reyes of Penaranda IA and Ricardo Pelayo of Malimba Bantog Manggahan IA, other LGU representatives, military and police chiefs and their men, partner stakeholders and some media personnel.
During the program proper, Penaranda IA President Reyes led the acceptance of the newly-inaugurated Peñaranda solar-powered irrigation pump project and extended his gratitude to the NIA Top Management and UPRIIS Top Officials for being one of the two IA-beneficiaries of these solar projects. In his speech, he quoted “Nasisiyahan ang buong pamunuan ng Penaranda IA dahil isang mabiyaya at patunay na kaunlaran ang nangyari sa amin. Sana at tuloy-tuloy ang pagtulong inyo sa amin.”