CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro -- In relation to NIA Administrator Eddie G. Guillen’s 7-point strategic policy agenda on irrigation infrastructure development, NIA MIMAROPA Acting Regional Manager Ronilio M. Cervantes leads the Ceremonial Turnover of the P1.9-million augmentation pump of Baco-Bucayao River Irrigation System (BBRIS) in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro on March 1, 2023.

Acting Regional Manager Cervantes also shared the plan of the NIA Acting Administrator Guillen in forming the Irrigators Associations into one cooperative per municipality as the agency is committed in uplifting and improving the lives of the farmers.

“Hinihiling ko lang sa Irrigators Associations na i-strengthen n’yo pa (ang samahan) at makapag-form tayo ng cooperative per municipality kasi ‘yan ang plan ng aming Administrator at target din ng NIA sa pagpapaunlad ng kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka.” Cervantes said.

During the ceremony, BABUCANAW IA Federation President Anacleto Guerra also expressed his gratitude to the agency.

“Sa atin pong mga kasama sa NIA… nasa inyo po ang pag-asa ng mga magsasaka ng buong BBRIS. Salamat po sa pagkakatugon ninyo sa amin pong water pump.” Guerra said.

The project, under the program of NIA Mindoro Oriental-Marinduque-Romblon Irrigation Management Office (MOMARO IMO), has a design service area of 4,229.64 hectares which will provide irrigation services and benefit the 2,787 farmers of BABUCANAW Irrigators’ Association.

The works undertaken in this project include a pump house, pump sump, stilling pool and 2 units of engine pump.

Engineering and Operations Division Manager Lowell L. Lozano, Administrative and Finance Division Manager Kirsty Caroline M. Hernandez-Aceron, MOMARO IMO Manager Gerardo R. Perez, Project-in-Charge Engr. Junar C. Veloso, institutional development program implementers, Aurora Barangay Councilor Hon. Buhay Gutierrez, Rev. Fr. Isagani Lolo, SVD and the Baco-Bucayao RIS IA presidents are also present in the project turnover. (NIA MIMAROPA)