Press Release

The National Irrigation Administration spearheaded the conduct of the National Irrigators Association (IA) Congress held at the Camelot Hotel on May 18-19, 2011. It was attended by the Presidents of Provincial Federation of Irrigators Associations nationwide.

The IA Congress aimed to inform the farmers of the Rice Self-Sufficiency Program of the national government where the farmers play a vital role in its attainment. The Program aims to attain rice self-sufficiency in 2013. It was also the venue where issues that may hinder the program's attainment were discussed and solutions recommended.

Secretary Proceso J. Alcala of the Department of Agriculture attended the IA Congress together with NIA Administrator Antonio S. Nangel. Secretary Alcala emphasized the importance of the Irrigators Association in the rice self-sufficiency program of the government where the lead agency is the Department of Agriculture with National Irrigation Administration playing a very important role being the irrigation agency of the government. For his part, Administrator Nangel vowed to closely coordinate with the IA in the implementation of projects and to continue with the consultation meeting.
 

IA Administrator Antonio S. Nangel recently attended the NIA-LGU-IA Consultation Meeting held at the Aklan State University in Aklan on May 6, 2011. It was attended by the Presidents of various Irrigators Association in the province, local government units and NIA officials from NIA Region VI headed by Regional Manager Gerardo P. Corsiga.

The theme and focus of the consultation meeting is the presentation of plans and programs on irrigation development for the province of Aklan. Issues and problems not only of the farmers but the LGU as well were brought out and actions were taken and/or solutions recommended.

Leading the LGU officials is no other then Congressman Florencio Miraflores. Other LGU includes Mayor Antonio Mameng of Banga, Mayor Ramon Legaspi of Makato, Mayor Maria Lourdes Miraflores (wife of Congressman Miraflores) of Ibahay, Mayor William Lachica of Kalibo, Mayor Victor Fernandez. Other guests also include personalities from the press, Philippine Information Agency and Bombo Radyo.

Congressman Miraflores commended Administrator Nangel whom he said was the only NIA Administrator to conduct this consultation and going down to the area to feel and listen to the needs of the farmers and LGU. For his part, Administrator Nangel expressed his appreciation to the support and understanding of the National and Local Government Units to the programs of the NIA.

Administrator Antonio S. Nangel awards to Irrigators’ Associations in Mal and Padada River Irrigation Systems in Davao del Sur, the check as payment of their share in irrigation service fee collection in simple ceremonies held at the NIA-IA Farmers’ Training Center in Digos City. NIA Region XI Regional Manager Felix M. Razo said that the ceremony is very significant in that this is the first time in the history of PADADA and MAL RIS where all the Irrigators Associations were able to receive a share in ISF Collection. To be able to get a share in ISF, the IA should be able to collect at least 60% of collectibles. The maximum share is 15% if total collection reaches 100%. This also shows that the IA thereat at are very active partners of NIA.