L-R: Bohol IMO Hydrologist Engr. Eustaquio Loayon, NIA R-7 Engr. Nelson Doliente, Mr. Renerio Makinano, Engr. Rene Espinosa, Kag. Salise, Omjon Brgy. Capt. Eulogio Galler, Marawis Brgy. Capt. Russel Hamac
OMJON, VALENCIA – On Friday, April 27, 2018, the National Irrigation Administration Regional Office 7, through the Bohol Irrigation Management Office formally turned over the newly completed Omjon-Marawis Communal Irrigation System (CIS) rehabilitation project to its beneficiary, the Marawis-Omjon-Maubo Irrigators Association Inc. of Barangay Omjon and Marawis, Valencia, Bohol, headed by its president Victor B. Cahig for them to handle the operation and maintenance of the said irrigation system.
The turnover ceremony began at around 8:30 in the morning and was attended by the NIA R-7 Planning, Construction & Design head Engr. Nelson Doliente, IMO personnel, IA officers, 2nd Dist. Cong. Yap’s representative – Engr. Rene Espinosa, Gov. Chatto’s representative – Renerio Makinano, Mayor Katrina Lim-Yee’s representative Kag. Richie Salise and Barangay officials.
Engr. Doliente led the turnover ceremony in behalf the NIA Region 7 Regional Manager Modesto G. Membreve who failed to grace the said event due to a very important meeting in the regional office.
In his turnover message Engr. Doliente expressed words of praise and gratitude to all government officials present for their continued support to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) R-7
He told everyone that RM Membreve wanted to attend this turnover ceremony but he cannot do so because he is attending an important meeting and contract signing in the regional office.
According to Engr. Doliente, RM Membreve told him to extend his congratulations to the farmers for receiving the irrigation system which the NIA worked hard to accomplish.
“I humbly appeal to all the IA members to take good care of the irrigation system because it will help improve cropping production among the members that will help improve your lives” said Engr. Doliente.
He reminded the IAs to plant more trees and protect the water shed so that ample supply of water will flow towards the irrigation system.
As final message, he reminded the IA members that no more Irrigation Service Fee (ISF) is being collected by the agency because of the signing into law of the Free Irrigation Service Act. However, the IA may collect funds for the association to use in its operation and maintenance, provided that it’s approved by the Board of Trustees of the association.
For his part, IA president Victor B. Cahig told the dignitaries present that he will lead the care and maintenance of the newly conveyed irrigation system because it is so helpful to them.
According to Cahig, he believes that more projects will be given to their association if they can be trusted in small things.
“Thank you to the NIA and the local officials for helping us obtain this god given structure because it will surely boost our rice production which is so timely because of the increase of the number of tourists in our province.” said Cahig
Government officials and representatives present have expressed words of congratulations and commended the NIA R-7 leadership for another job well done.
They also reminded the IA members to maximize the use and sincerely maintain the good condition of the irrigation system so that bigger irrigation projects in the future will be given to them.
The Omjon-Marawis Communal Irrigation System Rehabilitation project will cater the fifty seven (57) hectares service areas of Barangay Omjon, Marawis and Maubo, Valencia Bohol that have one hundred eighty (180) strong IA members.
The said project was undertaken by the Clavite Construction & Supply which amounted seven million five hundred thousand (7.5M) pesos. It was supervised by Engr. Paulino R. Palma as project in-charge, Charlie H. Mejorada and Severo G. Caipang as Institutional Development Officer from the Bohol Irrigation Management Office.