NIA Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen and Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Engr. C’zar M. Sulaik led the opening of Society of Irrigation and Drainage Design Engineers of the Philippines (SIDDEP) Exhibit on January 26 at NIA 7 Covered Court, Tagbilaran City.
This exhibit is one of the 3-day activities of the 8th Congress of SIDDEP, an association of Civil and Electromechanical Engineers nationwide led by its President, Engr. Remegio B. Ang, and hosted this year by the NIA Regional Office 7 located in the Bohol Province.
This is the first time the new NIA Acting Administrator visited NIA Region 7 since his appointment on December 9, 2022.
"I am very much delighted to finally visit NIA Region 7 and meet all of you in this momentous event today.", Guillen said.
In his message, Engr. Guillen appreciated the engineers of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and emphasized their importance to the agency.
"As our agency is mandated to plan, construct, operate, and maintain irrigation systems nationwide, we greatly acknowledge the significant roles of our engineers, in generalization, for bringing irrigation service to our Filipino farmers."
As a Civil Engineer himself, Admin. Guillen expressed his full support to the NIA engineers and its innovations.
"Kaisa n'yo po ako sa Modernization, Automation, at Climate Change adaptation ng ating irrigation systems sa buong bansa. Naniniwala po ako na ang sama-sama nating mithiin para sa Irrigation Sector, sa Agrikultura, at sa ating mga magsasaka, makakamit natin ang pag unlad ng Pilipinas na ating inaasam."
Engr. Guillen commended SIDDEP for successfully convening exhibitors whose products and services could help in the delivery of efficient and sustainable irrigation systems.
"Marami po akong nakitang bagong produkto na lalong mapapadali ang ating trabaho ngayon sa irigasyon."
The exhibitors that displayed and demonstrated their products and services are KRAZ Pipes, Westpoint Engineering Supplies Inc., NETAPHILS, Inc., Brianna Innovations & Solutions Corp., Atlanta Industries, SUPERB711 Engineering & Construction, and CAANA.
The exhibit which will run until Saturday, January 28, is also open for other government agencies such as DPWH and Provincial Engineering Office.
Engr. Guillen also met some of the farmers of Malinao Federated Irrigators Association who are selling their vegetables and other products in the Bohol delicacies and souvenirs booth.
Aside from attending the 8th Congress, Guillen's primary agenda in visiting the province is to hold a forum with the Boholano farmers along with the its Provincial, Congressional and Municipal Officials on Jan 27 at Panda Tea Garden.