QUEZON CITY — National Irrigation Administration(NIA)-Mimaropa is once again recognized as the Best Regional Office while Palawan was hailed as the Best Irrigation Management Office for the year 2020 in National Irrigation Administration (NIA) nationwide. NIA MIMAROPA and Palawan previously held the title in 2018.
Headed by Regional Manager William P. Ragodon and Division Manager Conrado V. Cardenas Jr., the two offices received the award during the virtual conduct of NIA’s 58th Founding Anniversary Celebration on June 22, 2021.
Overall, NIA MIMAROPA accomplished 93.58% of its target in project implementation despite the restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. This accomplishment led to area generation of 1,055 hectares and area restoration of 342 hectares farmland in the region.
Moreover, one major factor in the accomplishment is the increased irrigated area which contributes to food security of the Filipinos where NIA MIMAROPA developed 76.29% of the 143,558.95 hectares potential irrigable area in the region.
Additionally, NIA MIMAROPA attained 202.24% cropping intensity under National Irrigation System (NIS) and 181.09% under Communal Irrigation System (CIS). Irrigation Cropping Intensity as defined in NIA Memorandum Circular No. 12 s. 2015 is the ratio of the total annual area irrigated to include area irrigated during the wet season, dry season and 3rd crop against the Firmed-Up Service Area expressed in percentage.
Also, one significant accomplishment of NIA MIMAROPA is the completion of the Bongabong River Irrigation Project in Oriental Mindoro in line with the Build, Build, Build Program of the President Rodrigo Duterte. The 890-million irrigation project is partially operational and is now serving an area of 4,152 hectares with 2,083 farmer beneficiaries. Said project is scheduled for inauguration and partial turnover this second semester.
NIA MIMAROPA and its three Irrigation Management Offices ensure that they fulfill their part in attaining NIA’s vision to provide efficient irrigation service for the inclusive growth of the country and in the improvement of the farmers’ quality of life particularly in these trying times. (NIA MIMAROPA)
