The new Acting Administrator of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen solicits support from Bohol government officials and farmers to push for Consolidated Farming during the NIA Region 7 Stakeholders Forum on Jan 27 at Panda Tea Garden Suites, Tagbilaran City.
"Ang numero unong problema po ng agrikultura ay low productivity. Mababa ang output, pero mataas ang input. Mababa ang bentahan at pagsasamantalahan pa ng mga traders..ang plano po ng NIA ay Consolidated Farming. Mga Mayors kung papayag po kayo sa planong ito, hihingin namin ang tulong ninyo na buohin po ang cooperatives ng IAs per Municipality. Tapos tayong mga stakeholders ang magtutulungan sa pagbigay kung ano ang mga kailangan.” Guillen said.
Engr. Guillen, who served as a mayor of Piddig, Ilocos Norte for three terms, plans to replicate the approach they made in the town which is tapping the resources of various national government agencies that transformed the province into a model for good governance and sustainable and inclusive development.
Bohol Provincial Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado commended Engr. Guillen’s initiative and also expressed his support for the new NIA Administrator’s plans.
“Gusto talaga naming gawin ang Consolidated farming. With that, buo po ang suporta ko dito para sa Agrikultura. Pwedeng gawin namin yan dito [sa Bohol] with the help of course of NIA lalo na ngayon na may rice shortage at ang farmers lang ang makakatulong sa Probinsya.”
In the Stakeholders’ Forum, issues and concerns of farmers and NIA employees were tackled.
The forum, which was arranged by NIA RVII Regional Manager Engr. Reyne B. Ugay, was participated by Congressman Edgar M. Chatto, 2nd District Board Member Atty. Jamie Villamor, mayors of municipalities who are beneficiaries of NIA Projects, NIA Central Office Project Management Officer Leo L. Gallego, irrigators associations presidents, and the key personnel of NIA.
The event concluded with the signing of the Pledge of Commitment by all the stakeholders.