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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).

National Irrigation Administration (NIA) head Claro V. Maranan reports that the damaged irrigation facilities inflicted by Typhoon Yolanda in Region 8 are now at 98% operational. This was during the flag-raising ceremony at NIA-Central Office on Monday, March 17, 2014.

This was based on the two-day site visitation of The Department of Agriculture Secretary, Proceso J. Alcala together with the NIA Administrator Maranan in Tacloban.

On the first visit of NIA Administrator on December 17 & 18, 40 days after Typhoon Yolanda, it was reported that the Regional Offices have already responded to the damages in irrigation facilities were at 50% operational.

Since then, the operations on the irrigation facilities reached 70% in January 2014 and as of March 11, 2014, it was at 98%. Simultaneously, Dir. Romy Quiza also reported that the rice harvest is now on-going until April of this year. In a related development, Dir. Gerardo Corsiga added that the damaged irrigation facilities in Region 6 are now 100% operational.

While the 2014 budget approval is still on process, Administrator Maranan was able to request realignment of around P140,000,000.00 for the Yolanda affected areas.