TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Soils and Water Management(DA-BSWM) named Tanggal Swip Small Impounding Dam Association Inc. (TSSIDAI) of Turod, Bulo, this city as the Most Outstanding Small Water Impounding System Associations (SWISA) for Luzon.
The SWISA, along with Outstanding Provinces, Outstanding Cities/Municipalities and Outstanding Irrigators’ Associations are the four categories of the 2016 Search for Rice Achievers Awards given by DA.
Based on the project validation conducted by the national evaluation team on March 16, the TSSIDAI utilizes a land area of 84 hectaresowned by 64 members.
Blesilda Concepcion, BSWM representative said that the SWISA category is for all registered SWISAs which are beneficiaries of the small scale irrigation systems funded by the DA through the BSWM, DA-RFOs and LGUs.
Pertaining to the eligibility requirements for the nomination to the award, the association, she said must be registered to any of the concerned government entities such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) as of January 2015; service area is at least 20 hectares planted to rice during dry and wet season, and with at least 90 percent of the farmers are members of the SWISA; facility is functional and the SWISA is active for at the last 5 years; and ust have not been a winner of Rice Achievers Award.
Lourdes Estino, TSSIDAI secretary informed that the association which first named Tanggal Turod Farmers Association Incorporation with Jerry Estino as the president was started in 1988 but eventually died due to limited fund. However, in 1998 she said that the organization was brought back to life now with the name TSSIDAI which retained Estino as the president.
Estino said that the purpose of the association is to develop the members into self-reliant and effective leaders and to accelerate equal and free participation in socioeconomic development. It also aims to improve the members’ capability to engage in entrepreneurial undertaking and cooperative endeavors.
Some of the projects received by the association to improve farming practices were Riprap Project with deep well (2012), construction of communal irrigation canal (2013), construction of spillway (2001) and sewer (2012), High Yielding Technology Adoption Project (2013 and 2015). The organization also received a shredder machine given by DA-CAR on 2013.
Sharing the national accolade were the San Jose Lamak Irrigators Association of barangay San Jose, Mabini, Bohol and Hinapoyan Farmers Cooperative, barangay Hinapoyan, Carmen, Surigao Del Sur of the Visayas and Mindanao area respectively.
Estino also said that under their constitution and by-laws, the following fees are collected to promote service efficiency: annual membership fee of P250.00, irrigation water maintenance fee of P250.00 per harvest and P500.00 or one cavan of palay per harvest. She clarified that these fees are directly deposited at their bank account and non-paying members will not avail of the services given by DA.
Being the president for 16 years now, Gerry Estino disclosed that some of the future plans of the organization include participation to training relative to farming and entrepreneurship, construction of multi-purpose building and an office house are the most important considerations.
‘’The TSSIDAI was recreated to help the Turod farmers develop their farming skills and all of them make the most of good times by taking advantage of the programs, services and projects offered by DA,’’ he quoted.
Strict adherence to by-laws, hospitality to every agency visiting their organization, 100% attendance to training, availment of non-interest loan assistance of P5,000.00 by the members are considered to be their best practices.
Winners will receive P500,000.00 cash prize and plaque of commendation during the awarding ceremony on May 23, 2PM at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City. By Darwin S. Serion
