NIA Bicol marks 57th anniversary
NAGA CITY --- The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Bicol regional office has celebrated the agency’s 57th anniversary on July 17, 2020 at its compound here with limited participants and strict observance of health protocols related to coronavirus disease (Covid-19), which was livestreamed via Facebook and Zoom for the benefits of employees and farmers regionwide.
The highlights of the celebration were the awarding of recognitions to best officials and employees, outstanding irrigators associations (IA), tribute to retirees, loyalty awardees and best frontliners.
Director Freddie M. Toquero, NIA Bicol regional manager, in his anniversary message said “I am here to serve… we are all here to serve. Paano tayo matatandaan ng mga magsasaka? Anong klase tayong lider ng NIA dito sa Region V na magreretiro?’ … ‘Yun ang pangarap ko, na magkaroon ng legacy ang NIA R5 sa mga magsasaka dahil sila yung ating talagang pinaglilingkuran, walang iba…”
The celebration coincided with the first year anniversary of Toquero as head of NIA Bicol.
In a recorded video message, NIA administrator, Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya (Ret), said
“In the surge of the severe effects of this pandemic, we have proved that even amidst the threatening health crisis, NIA can continue surviving. Our skeleton and home workforces are as strong and as reliable as we seem to be working physically in full force at the office. We live by the agency’s official hashtag in this trying times, “tuloy ang daloy, NIA”. We do not want to stop working as we do not want our farmers to be left behind and our nation to be hungry due to unirrigated fields. Tuloy ang daloy ng patubig ng NIA.”
Visaya further said that “This anniversary celebration leaves a challenge on how each of us can make the agency even more productive and how together, we, can further improve our services to our clients. United, Bicolanos as you are, as I am confident that together, you can surpass all challenges that will come your way. Let all our efforts, hard work and perseverance never cease as we always put in mind the Filipino farmers and people who are counting on us 57 years ago, now and in the years to come. Let our collective efforts continue to be our key in fulfilling our mission as one strong NIA family.”
Among the NIA awardees this year were: Best Division: Administrative and Finance Division under the leadership of Ms. Sandra I. Salva; and Best IMO: Camarines Norte IMO under the leadership of Engr. Alvin L. Macasinag.
For Best Employees: Eduardo G. Yu, Sr. IRMO, AFD; Engr. Diogemma C. Rodriguez, Senior Engineer A, EOD; Marilou O. Oatemar, Supervising IDO, ACIMO; Rafael T. Almazan Jr., Sr. Water Resources Technician, CSIMO; Jovita N. Samson, Sr. Acconting Processor A, CNIMO; and Arnelfa P. Arejola, Data Analyst Controller, RM Staff.
For Outstanding Irrigators Associations (IAs): Regional level, (NIS category) South Quinale IA Inc from Libon,Albay; and LAPAFARA IA, INC. from Bulan, Sorsogon(CIS category).
Other IA awardees for Irrigaion Management Office (IMO) level were: (NIS)HIBIGA RIS (WMPA) IA INC., Balinad, Polangui Albay; and (CIS) PANGANIRAN IA, INC., Caratagan, Pioduran, for Albay-Catanduanes IMO;
For Camarines Norte IMO: (NIS) FARMERS IA of GUIBASAN (FIAG), INC., Bautista, Labo, Cam Norte and (CIS) MINASAG BIDA IA, INC., Sta. Elena, Cam Norte.
CamSur IMO: (NIS) RIDA Division IA, Inc., Portico, Bula, Camarines Sur. (CIS) Bula Farmer’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Sto. Domingo, Bula C.S.
Sorsogon-Masbate IMO: (NIS) John Peter IA, INC., San Juan Bago, Bulan, Sorsogon. (CIS) BAGACAY CONTOD IA, INC., Gubat, Sorsogon.
Despite the prevalence of the so-called “new normal” where all sort of restrictions apply, NIANs were still able to find ways to celebrate in a fun and entertaining way through TIKTOK, singing competition, and raffle draw.