LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Two irrigators’ associations (IA) in the region were among the country’s best IAs awarded during the 53rd Founding Anniversary of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) held at the NIA Grounds in Quezon City.
The Taloy Sur Irrigators’ Association (IA) of Brgy. Taloy Sur, Tuba, Benguet and Bolo-Borobor Farmers Integrated Association (FIA) of Brgy. Bolo, Tabuk City, Kalinga are the Most Outstanding Irrigators’ Associations, fifth and sixth runners-up respectively, in the nationwide annual search for Most Outstanding IAs for CY 2015 for achieving exemplary performance.
Taloy Sur IA maintains and operates the Taloy Sur Communal Irrigation System located in Brgy. Taloy Sur, Tuba, Benguet which was first constructed in 1988 and rehabilitated after the big earthquake in 1990. Taloy Sur IA’s office which was established through the organization’s fund raising activities is located at the 2nd View Deck along Marcos Highway in Taloy Sur, Tuba.
Last year, Taloy Sur IA also received a Special Performance Award as Most Outstanding IA for 2014 under the communal system category. It is the only IA that received an award in 2015 and 2016 whose farm products are high value crops.
The Bolo-Borobor Farmers Integrated Association (FIA), Inc. is a first time national awardee under the national irrigation system (NIS) category for the region. It was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2006 with a service area of 385 hectares under the Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS), and has currently 245 farmer-members.
Irrigators’ associations nationwide are being evaluated based on their operation and maintenance, organizational performance and financial discipline for the annual search for Most Outstanding Irrigators’ Associations.
Aside from the awarding of outstanding irrigators’ group, one of the annual activities to celebrate NIA’s anniversary is a synchronized tree planting activity where all regional and field offices of NIA plant fruit and forest tree seedlings at the same time, which was conducted on June 10 this year.
By HENT