NIA Region III - Farmers and residents in the ICD - Gawad Kalinga Village in Barangay Saysain, Bagac, Bataan are now assured of better access with the completion of the 1.3-kilometer service road project of the National Irrigation Administration that was inaugurated and turned over on July 12, 2022.
NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya led the inauguration of this service road that links the upland community of GK Village and of the Saysain Farmers Irrigators Association to the main road of Brgy. Saysain.
With a total project cost of P11,200,386.48, this 4-meter wide, 0.20 meter thick and 1.3-kilometer-long concrete road covers a service area of 57.31 hectares benefitting 40 farmers of Saysain FIA along with the 20 families of GK Village. Its construction commenced on September 8, 2021 and was completed on December 5, 2021.
It was through the initiative of Ret. Col. Perfecto Quilicot of raising this concern to NIA that this project came into existence. From the muddy and rough path before which gives heavy burden for the Saysain FIA and to the GK villagers especially during the wet cropping season, this service road helps them transport goods and crops easier and faster.
As a government project implemented by the Pampanga-Bataan Irrigation Management Office headed by Engr. Isabelito Bitangcol under NIA Regional Office III headed by Engr. Josephine Salazar, this project will sustain the development in the area and help uplift the way of living of its farmers.
Saysain FIA President Evangeline Rozal emphasized the significance of this project to their Irrigators Association in her message, “Dati, inaabot ng tatlo hanggang isang linggo bago makarating ang mga ani natin sa ating mga tahanan. Ngayon po ay isang araw lamang, nasa ating mga tahanan na ang ating mga aning palay.”
Maintaining this road is a shared responsibility of NIA and the beneficiaries. As this was turned over to the farmers during the program, Saysain Barangay Captain Remegio Reyes and Saysain FIA President Rozal assured NIA that they will do their part in maintaining this road so that it will always be safe, passable and its service areas accessible. Majority of the community’s basic needs pass through this service road and this has to be maintained well.
In his remarks, Administrator Visaya hopes that through this project, NIA was able to express the government’s care for the farmers and communities in Saysain. Goods were also given to the farmers and the residents of GK Village and their families at the end of the program.
Joining the Administrator in this inauguration is Retired Col. Perfecto Quilicot who was instrumental for this need of a service road for the farmers to be easily raised to NIA. Also present in the event were Gawad Kalinga Community Development Coordinators Jeron Amadore and Marilyn Caadlawon, and the Department Manager of the Public Affairs and Information Staff, Eden Victoria Selva.
The 1.3-kilometer-long service road in Barangay Saysain, Bagac, Bataan which was inaugurated on July 12, 2022
The ICD – Gawad Kalinga Village with 20 families benefitting from the newly-inaugurated Saysain Service Road
NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya, Regional Manager Josephine Salazar, Gawad Kalinga Village Coordinator Marilyn Caadlawon, PAMBAT IMO Manager Isabelito Bitangcol, Saysain Farmers Irrigators Association President Evangeline Rozal, Retired Col. Perfecto Quilicot, and Saysain Barangay Captain Remegio Reyes leading the Cutting of Ribbon
Administrator Visaya and Ret. Col. Quilicot lead the unveiling of the service road’s marker.
Retired Col. Perfecto Quilicot, the instrument for this need of a service road for the farmers be easily raised to NIA delivers his message.
Gawad Kalinga Community Development Coordinator Jeron Amadore thanking NIA for the service road that will help improve the way of living of GK villagers
Saysain Farmers Irrigators Association President Evangeline Rozal says that through the service road project of NIA, transport of harvested crops from their fields to their homes and to the market has been faster and easier.
The ceremonial turnover of the key to the Saysain Farmers Irrigators Association and Gawad Kalinga Village
NIA Region III Manager Josephine Salazar gives her message and introduces the Guest of Honor and Speaker.
NIA Administrator Visaya delivering his message in front of the farmer-beneficiaries and families of GK Village
Goods were given to the farmers and the residents of GK Village and their families at the end of the program.
**For questions and/or clarifications, you may contact:
Department Manager A
NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff
E-mail: pais@nia.gov.ph
Landline: (02) 8921-3741 loc. 113
