JARO, Iloilo City - TOP government officials, experts and planners gathered for the latest inter-agency discussions on the implementation of the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose II (JRMP II).
With the focus now on the identified concerns and demands of stakeholders, National Irrigation Administration Region 6 (NIA Region 6) officials led the renewed local effort. This is in line with NIA's directive to be strictly compliant to government requirements and responsive to the stakeholders' concerns.
The Participants of the 2nd Local Inter-Agency Coordination Meeting on February 12, 2015 at the Sarabia Manor Hotel, Iloilo City.
To note, NIA Region 6 is at the helm of the JRMP II implementation with Engineer Gerardo P. Corsiga, NIA, Region 6 Regional Manager as concurrent Project Manager.
Corsiga welcomed partners in government in what he stressed was one most important step towards real answers to the questions and needs of the project stakeholders.
"This local inter-agency meeting was conceived because of our desire to capitalize on the convergence initiatives of various line agencies in government," Engineer Corsiga said. "In presenting the framework of the project, our focus now is on the Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) of our Indigenous People's (IPs). There are demands and needs presented to us and for government intervention. We at NIA are working hard to meet these immediate demands and concerns particularly of our IPs and our impacted communities, IPs in our highlands and our farmers in the lowlands. Our partners from other government agencies are with us to help resolve these demands outside the NIA mandate," Corsiga said.
Present in the inter-agency meeting were officials from the Department of Interior and Local Government's (DILG) Giselle Gerial, Director Edna Janeo of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) Vidiolo Salvacion, Regional Livelihood Focal Person. Also present were Director Sheila Oberio, Provincial Science and Technology Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) Trade and Industry Development Specialist Aurora Bangcoya. Region 6 officials and executives from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Senior Economic Development Specialist Melvin Madriguera and Assistant Regional Director Attorney Raul Anlocotan, Department of Social and Welfare Development's (DSWD) KALAHI officials Engineer Hernando Gerada, Don Sason and Louilyn Galanza.
"The JRMP II is not just a NIA project, this is all our project a national government priority and so together we work on immediate solutions and strategies, mid-term solutions and long-term ones. Tulong-tulong tayo in coming out with the blueprint on how we shall arrive at the framework for the realization of all of these," Engineer Corsiga added.
Other major participants in the Local Inter-Agency Meeting were Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Ma. Elena Hedriana, representatives from the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Regional Director Toni June Tamayo of the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) while the National Housing Authority (NHA) was represented by Senior Architect Virgie Ramos. Partners from the Armed Forces of the Philippines was led by 301st Brigade Commander, Colonel Eric Uchida.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, a staunch JRMP II supporter addressed the body stressing anew how this project needs full government support.
"We are here today to work on how we could best be of assistance bear in mind how important these assistance are because this will spell the project's success," Governor Defensor said.
To the DPWH, Governor Defensor sought for immediate survey of road networks needing immediate action.
"Important ma-identify, ma-desisyunan kag ma-umpisahan," he said while expressing his confidence on how the funds will be sourced.
The Governor also stressed the need for just and fair compensation for all those covered by the JRMP II implementation. Such as he renewed calls for action and delivery of the promised benefits and what is due to the covered stakeholders.
The Local Inter-Agency Meeting firmed up commitments from member-agency heads present while project impacts, timeline of implementation were duly reported.
Governor Arthur D. Defensor, Sr. of the Province of Iloilo (center) discussing plans with NIA RO6 Regional Manager Gerardo P. Corsiga (left) and Col. Eric Uchida of the 301st Brigade during the Local Inter-Agency Coordination Meeting on February 12, 2015 at the Sarabia Manor Hotel, Iloilo City.
NIA RO6 Regional Manager and JRMP II Concurrent Project Manager Gerardo P. Corsiga shares inputs during the planning activity of the Local Inter-Agency Coordination Meetingon February 12, 2015 at the Sarabia Manor Hotel, Iloilo City.
