The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region VII convened its Institutional Development Officers (IDOs) and key stakeholders for the Regional Institutional Development Program (IDP) Review and Planning Workshop cum IDO Congress, focusing on strengthening irrigators’ associations, assessing program performance, and formulating strategies for 2025.
Held to evaluate the implementation of the 2024 IDP and Irrigators Association (IA) programs, the workshop aimed to address challenges, highlight best practices, and align regional efforts with national priorities. The event also emphasized the need for collaboration between farmers, government agencies, and technical experts to ensure sustainable irrigation management.
NIA Region VII Regional Manager Engr. Antonio B. Gujeling underscored the importance of institutional development beyond infrastructure, stressing that teamwork among various sectors is crucial for success. He encouraged stakeholders to continue supporting each other, learning from shared experiences, and fostering a stronger community of irrigation leaders.
Experts from different partner offices/agencies provided key insights during the workshop. Martin T. Tacloban, NIA Central Office Institutional Development Division (IDD) Manager, led discussions on policy directions, while Felix Bernal, IDD Area Monitor for Region VII, provided updates on program monitoring and evaluation. Dr. Alvin D. Palanog from DA-PhilRice Negros tackled agricultural innovations, and Jed B. Ighot, DILG Information Officer, emphasized governance strategies for institutional strengthening. Additional technical inputs came from Nelia Q. Catayas, CTAS Dean, BISU Bilar, and Reymundo C. Gimene of PhilMech, who shared insights on postharvest development and mechanization.
The workshop also included peer-learning sessions and planning discussions to enhance the operational performance of irrigators' associations. Regional IDOs collaborated to refine institutional development strategies, identify funding opportunities, and develop provincial IDP plans for 2025.
Key NIA personnel present included Engr. Maria Donesa A. Autida, Acting Operations Section Chief, and Felipa C. Dañoso, Institutional Development Unit (IDU) Head, who facilitated discussions on operational challenges and improvement strategies. IDOs from across the region participated, reinforcing NIA’s commitment to empowering irrigation communities and ensuring long-term sustainability in water resource management.
The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening institutional development, equipping IDP implementers with the necessary tools, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to sustain irrigation programs in the coming years.