By Sam Ramos
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region 11 launched the 13th NIA-Irrigators Association (IA) Congress in Davao City on December 2, bringing together over 300 members from the region and central offices to address sustainability and foster inter-agency collaboration for irrigation development.
NIA-11 manager Jimmy Apostol emphasized the importance of the two-day event as a platform for irrigators to voice their concerns. Discussions included issues such as calamity response funds, dam rehabilitation, irrigation system upgrades, and mechanization. Apostol highlighted that these inputs would guide NIA’s efforts to enhance irrigation systems and boost agricultural productivity in the region.
The congress also provided updates on NIA’s ongoing programs and projects aimed at sustaining irrigation facilities and increasing farmers’ efficiency. Apostol stressed the importance of inter-agency convergence to develop comprehensive solutions to challenges faced by farmers and irrigation stakeholders.
Engr. C’zar Sulaik, NIA deputy administrator for the engineering and operations sector and the event’s guest of honor, underscored the urgency of addressing climate change-related issues in irrigation planning. He pointed to the need for adaptive strategies such as adjusting cropping calendars and building more resilient irrigation systems to combat the effects of climate variability.
Jerry Barayuga, president of the Lower Saosao IA and the provincial federation of IAs in Davao de Oro, praised the congress as an effective avenue for communicating the concerns of local farmers to national policymakers. He also emphasized the role of collaboration in achieving food security in the region.
The event, which concludes on December 3, aims to strengthen partnerships among NIA, irrigators’ associations, and other government agencies. These collaborations are expected to drive the creation of sustainable and efficient irrigation systems, ensuring long-term benefits for farming communities across the Davao Region.