The major revamp in the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) management following the immense disappointment of President Benigno C. Aquino III on the agency’s alleged dismal performance expressed by the chief executive during NIA’s 50th anniversary last June brought to the fore the competence of a true-blooded Boholano. Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala thru Special Order No. 627, series of 2013, has designated Engr. Modesto G. Membreve, CESO as NIA Acting Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations, effective September 25, 2013. The Department’s action was approved by the NIA Board through Resolution No. 7933-13, series of 2013.

The agency overhaul is geared to fast tract irrigation projects nationwide, instrumental to the realization of the government’s program for Staple Food Sufficiency by 2016. Membreve’s exemplary performance during his more than 36 years stint with the NIA includes among others the construction of the Bayongan Dam, at San Miguel, Bohol, serving an area of 4,140 hectares for 3,605 farm household beneficiaries, and because of its successful implementation of the Bayongan dam, He was adjudged as the “Most Outstanding Project Manager” C.Y. 2007. He was able to complete the controversial dam of his predecessor the Zamora dam in Talibon, a small reservoir irrigation project with a service area of 1,100 hectares that benefited 1,750 farmer-beneficiaries in six Barangay’s in Talibon, Bohol. These irrigation facilities rendered Region 7 viable and capable for operation independent from Region 8.

Hence, in April 2009, NIA Regional Office No. 7 was established, to which Membreve was appointed its first Regional Manager. He maintained its viability for the succeeding years and earned recognition-award for the office as “Most Improved Region” despite the short period of existence. The consistency of Membreve’s competent management capabilities was further tested when in 2011 he was assigned as Regional Manager of NIA Region XIII (Caraga Region), a non-viable region for years which he turned “viable” in less than 6-month period. He was awarded “Outstanding Regional Manager” of said region. A year thereafter, Membreve was reassigned Regional Manager of NIA Region XI . Amidst massive devastation caused by Typhoon “Pablo”, he was able to rehabilitate damaged irrigation facilities and implemented related projects in due time, to the full satisfaction of irrigators and affected farmer-beneficiaries. In Membreve’s term, the region was honored as grand slam awardee of Irrigator’s associations, having garnered seven out of 10 national awards under the DA Agri-Pinoy Program. Membreve hails from barangay Catigbi-an, in the municipality of Buenavista, Bohol. He completed his Civil Engineering Degree from the University of Bohol. The new NIA Deputy Administrator is married to Ms. Evelyn Vegafria, a registered midwife. The couple has five children who are all professionals.