BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Cordillera Administrative Region Federation of Irrigators Association, INC (CARFIA) opened their two-day congress with the theme, “Irrigators Association Kooperatiba: Daan Para Guminhawa ang Buhay ng Magsasaka,” held on January 16, 2025 and will continue on the following day at the Leonard G. Mayaen Sports Complex, Bontoc, Mountain Province.
According to National Irrigation Administration Mountain Province Satellite Office Staff (NIA-MPSO), Erlinda A. Challoy, the CARFIA Congress is a gathering held every two years of federations composed of farmers from Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Tabuk City, Quezon, Isabela and Mountain Province, this year’s host province.
“The purpose of the CARFIA Congress is to strengthen linkages amongst the farmers of our region and to further improve the spirit of collaboration to further develop and uplift the status of our agricultural center,” Challoy said.
Joining the delegates during the opening program were Congressman Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr. represented by Dionisio Wacdisen, Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. Apayao Vice Governor Remy N. Albano, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member and President of the MP Provincial Irrigators Association Ezra Samson A. Gomez, Bontoc Municipal Mayor Jerome B. Tudlong, NIA-MPSO Provincial Head Engr. Winston A. Daoas and Provincial Population and Development Officer Eunice G. Andaya.
Tudlong welcomed all the participants to the capital town of Bontoc and lauded their efforts to come together to discuss the pressing issues and concerns facing the Irrigator’s Association leaving the participants with the challenge of learning to help as many people especially with the officers of the federations present who are present during the congress.
Gomez also reminded the delegates that they represent the agriculture sector, which is driving the country’s economy and through the Congress gives them the opportunity to strengthen partnership and correspond their plans with the national guidelines and agenda.
In his message, Governor Lacwasan pointed out the significance of the CARFIA congress as the majority of the region’s population depends on agriculture for subsistence and expressed his hopes that the congress will help in finding ways to enhance agricultural production and reinforce the cooperation of both the government and the private sector to include environmental protection as one of the core objectives of the congress. By Bendahara Beau K. Macliing
