15/03/2026
SMALL BEGINNINGS INTO LASTING PROGRESS: THE SUCCESS STORY OF GUIMBA–LICAB IRRIGATORS’ ASSOCIATION, INC.
Water is the lifeblood of agriculture, and for many farmers, reliable irrigation means hope for a better harvest and a better future. One inspiring example of this is the Guimba–Licab Irrigators’ Association, Inc., one of the downstream beneficiaries of irrigation water from Pantabangan Dam through the National Irrigation Administration – Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (NIA UPRIIS).
Registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the association serves a 1,228.29-hectare firmed-up service area and supports more than 885 farmer-beneficiaries. In 2023, the Guimba–Licab IA was recognized as the National Most Outstanding Irrigators’ Association (NIS Category). The association used the ₱1.3 million cash prize to build a warehouse, a facility that now helps members properly store their agricultural inputs and harvests.
Building on this achievement, the association established an IA-based cooperative in 2024, which later became a beneficiary of a livelihood project featuring Vertical Hydroponic Systems (Tower & A-Frame NFT) under the Greenhouse Project, in accordance with Memorandum Circular No. 45, Series of 2025.
The greenhouse was completed on December 17, 2025, and by January 2026, the cooperative planted its first crop of lettuce. The initial harvest in February generated around ₱6,800, with more than 60 lettuce heads sold at the “KADIWA ng Pangulo sa UPRIIS” at NIA UPRIIS Division V on March 9, 2026.
Although the initial harvest may seem modest, it represents a meaningful step forward. It shows that even in the face of challenges and struggles, farmers can still create new opportunities and build a better future. Through unity, innovation, and perseverance, the Guimba–Licab Irrigators’ Association continues to move forward—proving that with determination and cooperation, communities can grow stronger and turn small beginnings into lasting progress.
sa
