March 19, 2014, 4:00 PM

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) head Claro V. Maranan bestowed awards to the top 10 Irrigators' Associations (IAs) during the 2013 Agri Pinoy Rice Achievers Awarding Ceremony on Friday March 14, 2014 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.

The IAs were honored for their contribution to the rice sector for attaining a 97% self-sufficiency level last year despite the many calamities that hit the country.

The NIA aims to improve participation of IAs in project implementation and in operation and maintenance of irrigation systems and to show total commitment to the IAs for an administration of good governance and transparency.

The Top 10 IAs that were given awards are 1. LIgaya IA (Salvador, Santiago, Isabela); 2. LOW TIP TAM IA (Lower Tiparak, Tambulig, Zamboanga Del Sur); 3. MAKABASAKPA IA (Curvada, Kapatagan, Lanao Del Norte); 4. Dujali Poblacion FIA (Dujali, Braulio, Davao Del Norte); 5. WEBAMSI (Maygatasan, Bayugan, Agusan Del Sur); 6. SAFIMCO (San Antonio, Buhi, Camarines Sur); 7. Labrador-Timualag-Katurog IA (Labrador, Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay); 8. San Juan Impasug-ong La Fortuna (SILFA) IA (La Fortuna, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon); 9. Lower Marber IA (New Clarin, Bansalan, Davao Del Sur) and 10. Samahan ng Roque ISA (Madrid, Surigao del Sur).

Other awards that were given on that day were Outstanding Provinces, Outstanding Municipalities and Cities; Outstanding Small Water Impounding Systems Associations, Outstanding Agricultural Extension Workers (CAR-RFO IVB) and Outstanding Extension Workers.