NIA conducts irrigators congress

CEREMONIAL SIGNING. NIA Administrator Ricardo Visaya signs the ceremonial copy of the Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) contract, which were entered into by the various irrigators association leaders. The contract will be the basis for NIA to pay IA the P150 per hectare incentive and the canal clearing fee of P 1,750 for every 3.5 kilometers of earth canal and the same amount for every 7 kilometers of lined canal.

NAGA CITY -- Some 120 farmer-irrigator leaders in the six provinces of Bicol region gathered in this city for a three-day congress to discuss vital irrigation issues including the mass signing of Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) contracts in line with the Free Irrigation Program of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

NIA Administrator, Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya (Ret), in his message to the presidents of various irrigators associations (IA) said that NIA will continue to strive to provide farmers with better irrigation service and corruption-free implementation of irrigation projects, not only in the Bicol region but nationwide.

He stressed the vital role of irrigators associations (IA) in the implementation of irrigation projects and in the operation of maintenance of irrigation systems. Visaya called on IA leaders to actively participate and support the programs and projects of NIA as all these are intended to uplift the lives of farmers.

On the part of Engr. Freddie M. Toquero, acting manager of NIA Bicol, he thanked the IA leaders for their firm commitment and support to help NIA in the implementation of irrigation projects.

The three-day congress highlighted the discussion of the details of the implementing rules and regulations of the Free Irrigation Law and the various programs of PHILRICE, Department of Agriculture and the National Food Authority.

The best practices of four outstanding IAs in the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, and Sorsogon where also presented through video presentations. (Ed Yu/NIA)