NIA Region IV-B

𝐍𝐈𝐀 𝐌𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐀 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐈𝐀'𝐬 𝟔𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲

In celebration of the 63rd Anniversary of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) with the theme, "Kagubatang Kinalinga, Irigasyong Sagana," NIA MIMAROPA actively participated in the Simultaneous Nationwide Tree Planting Activity earlier today, led by Acting Regional Manager Engr. Edwin C. Nazareno.
The Regional Office, together with the Mindoro Oriental–Marinduque–Romblon (MOMARO) Irrigation Management Office (IMO), headed by Division Manager Engr. Maria Victoria O. Malenab, conducted its tree planting activity in Brgy. Malugay, Socorro, Oriental Mindoro, where a total of 305 fruit-bearing tree saplings were planted.

Meanwhile, the Occidental Mindoro IMO, headed by Acting Division Manager Engr. Mary Grace B. Cartagena, carried out its activity in Brgy. Manoot, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, planting a total of 650 saplings, consisting of 50 fruit-bearing tree saplings and 600 forest tree saplings.

In Brgy. Malinao, Narra, Palawan, the Palawan IMO, led by Division Manager Engr. Armando L. Flores, planted a total of 725 saplings, comprising 300 fruit-bearing tree saplings and 425 forest tree saplings.

As part of the activity, Ms. Rosallie Nava, representative from the Department of Agriculture, demonstrated the proper planting techniques and handling of saplings to promote their healthy growth and survival.

The tree planting activity was supported by Engineering and Operations Division Manager Engr. Suzanne J. San Juan and was participated in by Administrative and Finance Division Manager Ms. Kirsty Caroline M. Hernandez-Aceron, along with representatives from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), barangay officials, participating Irrigators' Associations, and the landowners of the planting sites.

Overall, 1,680 saplings were planted across the MIMAROPA Region through the collective efforts of the Regional Office and the three IMOs. This simultaneous nationwide tree planting activity underscores NIA's continuing commitment to environmental conservation, watershed protection, climate resilience, and sustainable development through collaborative community action.

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𝐌𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐎 𝐈𝐌𝐎 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.

To strengthen technical skills and address competency gaps of personnel, NIA MOMARO IMO facilitated a coaching activity on Irrigation System Management. The activity was participated in by Senior Water Resources Facilities Technicians, Water Resources Facilities Operators, engineers, and other personnel involved in the operation and maintenance of various national and communal irrigation systems in Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, and Romblon.

Serving as the resource person was Engr. Daniel Angelo M. Malabanan, Principal Engineer A, who discussed recommendations on improving system efficiency, ensuring proper water distribution, and strengthening coordination among field personnel. The coaching session also aimed to enhance decision-making in field operations, with technical insights further supported by Senior Engineer Benedict Santi S. Perez and Hydrologist Irvin M. Moreno.

Following the coaching session, a field activity was conducted to serve as a calibration exercise for water velocity measurement in irrigation canals. Operations personnel were guided on standardized and proper techniques in measuring water flow, ensuring accuracy and consistency of data collected in the field. Engr. Perez and Mr. Moreno also provided technical guidance during the field exercise.

Through this coaching activity, participants are expected to apply their learnings in actual field operations and further improve their performance. This activity was supported by MOMARO IMO Division Manager Engr. Maria Victoria O. Malenab and Acting Regional Manager Engr. Edwin C. Nazareno.

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𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 (𝟑) 𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐈𝐌𝐓 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐈𝐀

Three (3) newly organized Irrigators Service Cooperatives (ISCs) on Lubang Island—the Vigo-Alamitay Irrigators Agriculture Cooperative (VIGA ACO), Agkawayan-Burol Irrigators Agriculture Cooperative (AGBUIACO), and Tilik-Hiri Irrigators Agriculture Cooperative (AGRTHIACO)—successfully completed the mandatory training on Fundamentals of Cooperatives and Cooperative Management and Governance conducted in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro. The training was conducted in partnership with the Provincial Cooperative Development Office (PCDO) and was facilitated by Ms. Adelfa Hornilla, PCDO Focal Person.

As part of the training outputs, the cooperatives developed their Vision, Mission, Goals, and Objectives (VMGO), development plans, and governance policies to guide their operations. Following the training, the three ISCs entered into an Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) Contract with NIA—an initiative of the agency aimed at sustaining the operation and maintenance of irrigation systems in the municipalities of Lubang and Looc through greater participation of irrigators in irrigation management.

This milestone was made possible through the continuous guidance of Acting Division Manager Mary Grace B. Cartagena and the support of Acting Regional Manager Engr. Edwin C. Nazareno.

The activity was also attended by LGU officials of Lubang headed by Vice Mayor Hon. Charles Villas and municipal administrator Mr. Alfredo Bleza. Both officials expressed their appreciation to NIA for its continued initiatives in strengthening farmer organizations and improving irrigation services in the island municipalities.

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