CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The National Irrigation Administration (NIA)-10 is under new management after its ceremonial turnover ceremony for the Regional Manager took place,  March 17.

Engineer Leonila E. Tenestrante, who is the regional manager, will retire in April. Engineer Armando E. Arizala, who is the division manager for the Bukidnon Irrigation Management Office, will take over as the agency's acting regional manager.

Arizala started their journey in the agency as an engineering assistant. He slowly rose through the ranks, and after 37 years of service in 2018, he became the acting division manager of Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, and Camiguin Irrigation Management Offices and was later promoted as the Division Manager of Bukidnon Irrigation Management Office.

"We will strengthen the synergy and collaboration of the irrigation management offices (IMOs) in implementing and fast-tracking ongoing irrigation development and continually be dedicated to the core values of commitment, integrity, and professionalism," Arizala said.

He said he will keep doing what was asked of him by developing, building, running, and maintaining irrigation systems all over the region.

Meanwhile, outgoing Regional Manager Tenestrante, who had served the agency for 39 years, expressed her gratitude and well-wishes as she parted ways with the agency she served with full dedication.

"As I leave the portals of this agency and bestow the responsibility to RM Arizala, may the legacy of delivering quality service to our clientele endure and be highlighted in every program and project implementation for the improvement of the farmers' quality of life," she said. 

NIA’s Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Engineer C’zar M. Sulaik, who graced the ceremony virtually, stressed that one key to successful leadership is continuous personal change as it would be a reflection of one's inner growth and empowerment, adding that being empowered will have a great impact on the delivery of and extending the services NIA could offer.

With the new management in place, NIA-10 assures the public that it will continue its commitment to providing better and quality service to its farmer clientele and to supporting the priorities of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in agriculture and food security. (NIA-10/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental