(From L-R: IA Pres. Arniel E. Araneta, Regional Manager Modesto G. Membreve, 3rd Dist. Congressman Arthur C. Yap, and Raul Molina during the ceremonial ribbon cutting)
CAMAYAAN LOBOC – On Friday, February 23, 2018, the National Irrigation Administration Regional Office 7, through the Bohol Irrigation Management Office formally turned over the operation and maintenance of the newly accomplished rehabilitation project of Loboc Integrated (Basak Daku) Communal Irrigation System (CIS) to its beneficiaries, the Basak Daku Irrigators Association Inc. of Barangay Camayaan, Loboc Bohol, headed by its president Arniel E. Araneta for them to handle the operation and maintenance of the said irrigation system.
The turnover ceremony began at around 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon which was attended by the NIA R-7 regional manager, IMO personnel, IA officers, members, 3rd District Congressman Arthur C. Yap, Gov. Edgar M. Chatto’s representative – Mr. Raul Molina, Mayor Alaba’s representative – Hon. Raymond Jala and Barangay officials.
Engr. Modesto G. Membreve, the newly returned Regional Manager of NIA Region 7, personally facilitated the turnover.
In his turnover message, Regional Manager Membreve expressed words of happiness and thanks to all the persons who helped accomplished the Basak Daku CIS extension project.
He thanked Cong. Yap who personally attended the said affair for his unwavering dedication and support to NIA R-7, who according to Membreve always stood firm in securing that all projects intended for the province of Bohol and region 7 as a whole would be approved in the budget deliberation in the House of Representatives.
He also added that the people of Loboc are blessed because Cong. Yap who resides in the said municipality always pushed for the early start and fast track completion of all the requested irrigation projects in Loboc.
“It was Cong. Yap who personally requested for the approval of this extension project.” said RM Membreve.
“I also would like to thank the leadership of Gov. Chatto, Mayor Alaba, and other government officials for always supporting the NIA’s projects and for attending this significant event.” added RM Membreve.
As final words, RM Membreve told the IA members to sincerely take good care of the irrigation system because it will help improve their rice production and so that the agency’s budget will also be given to other barangays instead of using it for rehabilitation or reconstruction if this irrigation system will be destroyed.
Cong. Yap for his part expressed words of gratitude and commended RM Membreve’s leadership for a job well done in helping him obtain his promised irrigation system to the farmers of Camayaan, Loboc.
“In my three terms as your congressman I have done my best to help the people of Loboc by allocating forty seven (47) million worth of projects which included the construction of irrigation system which is the purpose why we are all gathered here.” said Cong. Yap.
He also assured the people present that before his term expire in 2019 more projects beneficial to the people of Loboc will be allocated and given.
For his part, IA president Arniel E. Araneta thanked the NIA and Cong. Yap for making their dream to have an irrigation facility a reality. According to him, the irrigation system will really help them cultivate their land and because of it they will not anymore depend on rain for them to irrigate their crops.
He assured RM Membreve and the NIA personnel present that the IA will take good care of the irrigation system because it is a God given blessing that will help them improve their livelihood.
The Integrated (Basak Daku) Irrigation System extension project will cater the forty (40) hectares service areas of Barangay Camayaan, Loboc that has fifty (50) strong IA members.
The said project was undertaken through the force account works that amounted one (1) million. It was supervised by Engr. Ma. Cesarea L. Caga-anan as project in-charge and Gerald A. Odtohan as Institutional Development Officer from the Bohol Irrigation Management Office.