Tagbilaran City, Bohol –The National Irrigation Administration - Region VII (NIA-R7) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) held a coordination meeting on February 26, 2025, at the Bohol IMO Strategy Room, Dao, Tagbilaran City.
The meeting focused on reconciling the CY 2024 Inventory of Irrigation Systems and discussing the coordination of farm inputs and assistance to farmers to ensure timely distribution.
The activity was in line with a directive from NIA Central Office instructing regional offices to coordinate with their DA regional counterparts to align programs benefiting farmers, particularly for the second dry and wet cropping seasons. It also aimed to present, update, and reconcile areas covered under the National Irrigation Systems (NIS), Communal Irrigation Systems (CIS), Other Government Agencies (OGA)-operated systems, and Private Irrigation Systems (IS).
Engr. Ma. Donah A. Laguarte, NIA-R7 Operations Unit Head, presented the updated CY 2024 Inventory of Irrigation Systems across the region. Engr. Maria Donesa A. Autida, Acting Chief of the Operations, Irrigation, Development, and Management Section (OIDEMS), discussed the updated Operations and Maintenance (O&M) performance for the CY 2025 cropping season.
Engr. Epifanio Gaudicos, DA-RFO7 Rice Program Focal Person, detailed the Hybrid Seed Allocation for the upcoming cropping cycle while Engr. Marvin D. Ochea, Unit Head of DA-RAED-SSIP-PPMS, also presented the CY 2024 Inventory of DA-operated irrigation systems.
NIA Region VII Regional Manager Engr. Antonio B. Gujeling, Acting Engineering and Operations Division (EOD) Manager Engr. Nelson L. Doliente, and key personnel from NIA’s regional and field offices, including representatives from BIIS, BCSIMO, and NOSO, were present. Also in attendance were DA-RAED staff and DA Rice Focal personnel.
The meeting underscored the importance of strengthening inter-agency collaboration to ensure the smooth delivery of farm inputs and irrigation support services. By aligning efforts, NIA and DA aim to enhance agricultural productivity and provide timely assistance to farmers across the region.