"Management by going around" is what Administrator Antonio S. Nangel of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) strategy in running an agency as huge as the NIA. Administrator Nangel believes that going down to the level where the action takes place, is more effective in knowing first-hand the real situation in the field.

His sorties started in Vigan, Ilocos Sur where he attended the Project Managers’ Conference which aimed to assess the progress of project implementation of big projects nationwide. Project Managers whose projects were evaluated to be lagging behind were advised to prepare catch-up plans in order to complete the projects as targeted. The generated areas of these projects contribute to the target areas for attaining the rice self-sufficiency program.

The project visitation of the completed Banaoang Pump Irrigation Project along with a Farmers' Forum was next in the Administrator's itinerary. Together with DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, Administrator Nangel briefed Secretary Alcala of the various components of the pump project as well as other important information such as the total project cost, irrigated area, farmer-beneficiaries and funding source. During the Farmers’ Forum, Secretary Alcala advised the farmers to utilize the irrigation system as efficient as possible to reap utmost benefits from it. With the irrigation system, the farmers are now assured of irrigation water supply throughout the year.