NIA Region V - Bicol Region

30/05/2026

SMART SATURDAY-SMART TIPS SA PAGTATANIM NGAYONG HABAGAT SEASON

Ngayong araw, idineklara na ng Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration o PAGASA na opisyal nang pumasok ang panahon ng Southwest Monsoon o Habagat. Bagamat dala nito ang saganang tubig-ulan na kailangan ng ating mga sakahan, ang labis na pag-ulan ay maaari ding magdulot ng pagbaha at pagkasira ng mga pananim kung hindi tayo handa.

Kaisa ang National Irrigation Administration (NIA) sa inyong layunin na mapataas ang antas ng produksyon at kita sa tulong ng maayos na pamamahala ng patubig, narito ang ilang Smart Agricultural Tips upang protektahan at pagandahin ang inyong ani ngayong tag-ulan:

🔹 1. Ayusin at Linisin ang Drainage System
Ang waterlogging o pagkababad ng ugat sa tubig ay sanhi ng root rot at mga sakit sa pananim. Siguraduhing malinis ang mga kanal sa inyong mga sakahan upang mabilis na mailatag at maialis ang labis na tubig patungo sa mga pangunahing irigasyon.

🔹 2. Gumamit ng Raised Beds o Mounds
Para sa mga sensitibong pananim tulad ng gulay (kamatis, sili, at talong), gumawa ng matataas na plots o plots na may sapat na kanal sa pagitan. Nakakatulong ito upang hindi malunod ang mga ugat kahit pa tuloy-tuloy ang buhos ng ulan.

🔹 3. Pumili ng mga "Water-Tolerant" at Resilient na Pananim
Ito ang pinakamainam na panahon para sa pagtatanim ng palay na hiyang sa tubig. Para naman sa mga upland o vegetable areas, pumili ng mga pananim na kaya ang basang lupa tulad ng kangkong, gabi, okra, at mga uri ng legumbre (gaya ng sitaw o munggo) na nagsisilbi ring cover crops laban sa soil erosion.

🔹 4. Maglagay ng Windbreakers at Shade Nets
Ang Habagat ay madalas na may kasamang malalakas na hangin. Ang pagpapatubo ng mga natural na windbreaker (gaya ng mga puno o matataas na halaman sa gilid ng sakahan) o paglalagay ng mga shade net ay pananggalang upang hindi mabali ang mga tangkay at maprotektahan ang mga bagong semilya mula sa bagsak ng ulan.

🔹 5. Matalinong Pagpapataba (Slow-Release Fertilizers)
Iwasang magsabog ng pataba kung kailan malakas ang buhos ng ulan upang hindi ito maanod (nutrient runoff). Gumamit ng mga de-kalidad na organic manure o slow-release fertilizers para unti-unting makuha ng lupa ang sustansya.


Bahagi ng adhikain ng NIA ang pagbuo ng mga proyektong pang-irigasyon na madaling umangkop sa pabago-bagong klima (climate-change adaptive). Sa pakikipagtulungan sa ating mga Irrigators Associations (IA), sinisiguro natin ang technical excellence at wastong water resource management—baha man o tagtuyot—tungo sa mas maginhawang buhay para sa bawat magsasaka.

SOURCES:
• PAGASA
• Agriculture Monthly (https://agriculture.com.ph/2023/05/24/surviving-the-wet-season-five-strategies-to-protect-crops-from-heavy-rain-and-strong-winds/ #:~:text=They%20can%20be%20planted%20around,and%20providing%20shelter%20for%20crops.)
• Department of Agriculture (DA) - Agricultural Training Institute
• NIA Master Plan & Research Agenda on Climate Change Adaptation

29/05/2026

When Rivers Flow Forward: Honoring a Legacy, Welcoming a New Horizon

Every ending gives rise to a new beginning. This truth came alive today, May 29, 2026, as the National Irrigation Administration–Sorsogon-Masbate Irrigation Management Office (NIA-SMIMO) gathered for a heartfelt Turnover of Leadership Ceremony. Amid memories of the past and hopes for the future, employees from the NIA-SMIMO and NIA-Masbate Sub-Office, Camarines Sur IMO personnel, and leaders from various Irrigators’ Associations (IAs) witnessed the passing of the torch—closing one remarkable chapter and opening another filled with promise.

After three years of dedicated service, Engr. Edmundo T. Villaluz bade a heartfelt farewell to the NIA-SMIMO; a family he helped shape. Amid words of gratitude from IA leaders and a hopeful “good luck” from Acting Masbate Sub-Office Head Ariel L. Marco, he left a simple yet emotional and profound reminder: everything happens for a reason. Though his chapter closes, his legacy of service and commitment will continue to inspire those who carry the mission forward.

As one chapter gently came to a close, another began with hope and purpose as Engr. Jessie D. Baynas assumed the mantle of leadership. Armed with a deeper understanding of the office’s mission and challenges, he embraced the responsibility with humility and gratitude.

Looking toward the horizon, he called for unity and shared commitment, vowing to nurture greater harvests and strengthen water services for the farming communities of Sorsogon and Masbate. With renewed faith and a common vision, NIA-SMIMO now steps forward—ready to sow new dreams and reap new victories together.

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29/05/2026

SPIP in Cam Norte. Read more here:

LEGAZPI CITY – Irrigators' associations in Camarines Norte expect at least a 90 percent increase in their income from the use of 11 water pump units recently provided by the National Irrigation Administration - Camarines Norte Irrigation Management Office (NIA-CNIMO), the agency said Friday. NIA.....

29/05/2026

WATCH | Malaking tulong sa mga magsasaka ng Quinuartilan Camalig Farmers & Irrigators Association, Inc. ang proyektong Quinartilan SPIS (Solar Power Irrigation System) sa Camalig, Albay.

Nagbigay ang nasabing proyekto ng panibagong pag-asa at mas maayos na kakayahan sa irigasyon upang mapataas ang produksyon at kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka sa bayan ng Camalig.

28/05/2026

SEN. KIKO PANGILINAN VISITS DROUGHT-HIT FARMLANDS IN CAMALIG, ALBAY FOR POSSIBLE SOLAR IRRIGATION PROJECT

LIGAO CITY--A surprise visit was personally conducted by Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan to the drought-affected rice fields in Barangay Comun, Camalig on May 28, 2026, as the area is being considered a potential site for the installation of a Solar Irrigation Pump System.

Present during the visit were Engr. Diogemma C. Rodriguez, NIA Region V EOD Manager; Engr. Mark Cloyd G. So, NIA ACIMO Manager; and Engr. Jessica B. Completo, Planning and Design Unit Head. Together with Senator Pangilinan, Camalig Mayor Caloy G. Baldo, the Barangay Captain of Comun, and representatives from the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), they formally discussed the current condition of the drought-affected farmlands and the urgent need for a sustainable irrigation system for farmers in the area.

The discussion focused on the possibility of establishing an efficient and reliable irrigation facility through the proposed Solar Pump Irrigation Project to help address the continuing drought affecting the rice fields.

The collaborative effort among concerned agencies and local officials took place following the Agri Fiesta celebration conducted by the Albay Provincial Agriculture Office (APAO) at the Albay Farmer's Bounty Village, where Senator Francis Pangilinan served as the guest of honor.

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27/05/2026

CNIMO Update| Opisyal nang nai-turnover noong lunes, May 25, 2026, ang labing-isang (11) water pumps unit sa mga irrigators’ association na nasasakupan ng Matogdon River Irrigation System (NIS) at Matogdon CIS - Extension.

Sa kabuuang bilang ng mga makinarya, anim (6) na waterpumps ang pormal na tinanggap ng Farmers Irrigators Association of GUIBASAN, habang lima (5) naman ang ipinagkaloob sa Bical Matogdon Rivers Services (BIMARS), Inc.

Layunin nito na matugunan ang pangangailangan sa patubig ng mga lokal na magsasaka at muling maibalik ang suplay ng tubig sa mga sakahang hindi naabot ng daloy mula sa dam na sumasaklaw sa dalawang system.

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27/05/2026

WATER WEDNESDAY –BARIIS CIS

Beyond its famous pink sand beaches and bustling port, Matnog, Sorsogon—named after the local Bicol word "Matonog" for the roaring waves of the San Bernardino Strait—also relies on its inland waters to fuel local agriculture. While those roaring seas define the town's borders, the disciplined, quiet flow of the Bariis Communal Irrigation System (CIS) shapes its lush interior.

Managed by ABARICA Irrigators Association Inc. since its organization four decades ago, this system transforms local water resources into sustainable yields. The association oversees a vital service area spanning 70.25 hectares, a green expanse that directly feeds and supports 102 farmer-beneficiaries and their families.

Through this enduring partnership, NIA remains steadfast in its mission to deliver sustainable irrigation services, driving agricultural productivity and securing a more prosperous, climate-resilient future for our local farming communities.


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26/05/2026

PADARAW FESTIVAL: Did you know that the word "Padaraw" comes from the indigenous Bicolano term "daraw," which refers to a school of fish congregating at a single point in the sea?

Every May 30, the coastal town of Bulan, Sorsogon, bursts into vibrant color for the Padaraw Festival. Celebrated in honor of their patron saint, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, this spectacular event features grand presentations of ethnic music, creative street dancing, and stunning costumes woven from local abaca fiber, with a collective expression of immense gratitude not just for the abundance of the sea, but also for the bounties harvested from the plains and mountains.

Just as fish converge for a bountiful catch, water resources converge to feed the agricultural plains. This spirit of daraw—uniting for a shared, prosperous outcome—perfectly mirrors the mission of the National Irrigation Administration, linking the town’s marine legacy with its agricultural future.

Through its dedicated initiatives, the NIA-Sorsogon-Masbate Irrigation Management Office proudly serves 1,395 farmer-beneficiaries. This vital support flows through two primary networks: 1,153 farmers thriving under the San Francisco and San Ramon River Irrigation Systems (RIS), and 242 farmers empowered by three Communal Irrigation Systems (CIS). By modernizing networks and partnering with irrigators' associations, NIA ensures our farming communities remain as bountiful and unified as the rich waters of Bulan.

Source: Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Office, https://padaraw.webnode.page/
Photo Courtesy: Paulogi

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padaraw.webnode.page

25/05/2026

DOLE, NIA Strengthen Livelihood Support for Camarines Norte Irrigators Through TUPAD

Some 600 members of various Irrigators’ Associations (IAs) participated in the orientation conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program on May 19, 2026, at the Barangay Borabod Covered Court.

The participants comprised the first batch of TUPAD beneficiaries for 2026. Following the orientation, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was distributed to support the beneficiaries during their upcoming work deployment under the program.

During the activity, DOLE TUPAD Program Coordinator Darlene Ibias discussed the program’s objectives, benefits, and the responsibilities expected of participating IA members throughout the project's implementation.

This initiative highlights the continuing partnership between DOLE and the National Irrigation Administration–Camarines Norte Irrigation Management Office (NIA-CNIMO) in delivering government services that create livelihood opportunities and support local communities.

Through strengthened inter-agency collaboration, government programs are implemented more effectively and reach a wider segment of the population.

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25/05/2026

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY – Leadership has its seasons, just like the land. The sun’s heat inevitably yields to the rain, drenching the soil to ensure growth. This is the continuity of life.

Yet, the most profound impact of any season is how it transforms the earth. Great leadership enriches the very ground it occupies, leaving the soil more fertile for the next generation.

Unlike a fleeting moment of brilliance, impact is the enduring vitality of the ecosystem a leader helped to build.

To a leader who carried Sorsogon-Masbate Irrigation Management Office across varying seasons, SALAMATONON po, Engr. Edmundo T. Villaluz!

The NIA SMIMO employees and farmer-irrigators of Sorsogon and Masbate are forever grateful!

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