04/09/2026
๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ก๐จ๐ฅ-๐๐ข๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ฃ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐
๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ข๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ฃ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฌโ ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐จ๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ
LAZI, SIQUIJOR | The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Bohol-Siquijor Office successfully conducted the 6th Siquijor Irrigatorsโ Association (IA) Congress on August 25, 2026, bringing together Irrigatorsโ Association leaders, farmer-members, government agencies, and other stakeholders in a meaningful gathering dedicated to strengthening partnerships and advancing the welfare of Siquijorโs farming communities.
With 56 Irrigatorsโ Association (IA) presidents and members, the congress provided more than an avenue for information sharing. It became a meaningful space where farmers could speak, be heard, and take part in conversations concerning irrigation services, agricultural development, and the programs and interventions available to them through NIA and its partner agencies.
Engr. Maritez I. Soria spearheaded the activity with the Evaristo R. Borja, Chief of the Engineering and Operations Section; Ms. Ma. Sibyl T. Peligro, Chief of the Administration and Finance Section; and key employees of the NIA Bohol-Siquijor Office. Their presence reflected NIAโs continuing commitment to maintaining a close and responsive relationship with the Irrigatorsโ Associationsโthe very organizations and farmers who remain at the heart of the agencyโs irrigation development efforts.
The congress was further strengthened by the participation of NIAโs partner government agencies, namely DOST-PAGASA, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), Department of Agriculture โ Agricultural Programs Coordinating Office (DA-APCO), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), and National Food Authority (NFA).
Representatives from the participating agencies shared their respective programs, services, and available interventions for farmers and Irrigatorsโ Associations, providing them with valuable information on agricultural assistance, weather and climate services, livelihood opportunities, social protection, crop insurance, food programs, and other government interventions that can help improve farm productivity, strengthen farmer organizations, and promote the welfare of farming families.
Also gracing the activity was a representative from the Office of Congressman Hon. Zaldy S. Villa, signifying the continued support of local leadership for programs and initiatives that uphold the interests and welfare of Siquijorโs farmers.
As part of the congress, the NIA Bohol-Siquijor Office presented its reports and accomplishments in Engineering, Operations, and Institutional Development. These presentations provided the Irrigatorsโ Associations with updates on irrigation project implementation and management, operation and maintenance activities, and institutional development initiatives undertaken by the office.
Beyond the presentations and reports, however, the heart of the congress was the open forum and dialogue between the farmers and NIA management. It was an opportunity for the Irrigatorsโ Associations to openly express their concerns, clarify issues, raise questions, and seek assistance regarding irrigation projects, services, operations, and matters affecting their organizations and agricultural activities.
The concerns raised by the farmers were duly acknowledged and addressed by NIA management and concerned personnel, reinforcing the importance of open communication in building trust and ensuring that irrigation services remain responsive to the actual needs of the communities they serve.
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