Isabela City, Basilan - Seven (7) completed irrigation projects with a total project cost of 144.6 Million was turned over to its respective Irrigators Associations (IAs) during a Mass Turn-over Ceremony held last August 24, 2022 at Kasinnahan Hotel and Resort, Isabela City, Basilan.
Prior to the program, a ceremonial ribbon-cutting was held at the actual sites of Tumahubong Small Irrigation Project (SIP) located in Sumisip, Basilan and Lamitan Communal Irrigation System (CIS) located in Balobo, Lamitan City.
The completed irrigation projects - Pali CIS, Colonia CIS, Lamitan CIS 2018, Lamitan CIS 2019, Makiri SIP, Kumalarang SIP, and Tumahubong SIP were turned over to the following IAs respectively - Abong-abong Sitio Pali IA, LOCOSA IA, BALIMOSA IA, Ismael Makiri IA, Kumalarang Km. 6 Isabela City IA, and Tumabhubong Mahatallang IA. A total of 472 hectares of service area will be irrigated upon the operation of these irrigation facilities benefitting a total of 360 farmer beneficiaries in the area.
NIA Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations (DAEO) C’zar M. Sulak together with NIA Region IX Acting Manager Salome N. Layasan, and Basilan Provincial Governor Jim S. Hataman Salliman led the cutting of ribbon and ceremonial mass turn-over. Among the stakeholders present were local mayors namely Hon. Roderick H. Furigay, Mayor, Lamitan City and Hon Hanie A. Bud, Municipal Mayor, Maluso; Philippine Army Units in Basilan led by Gen. Domingo Gobway, Commander, 101st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division; Philippine National Police Units led by Provincial Director PCol. Pedro Martirez Jr.; and other officials and staff of Basilan Provincial Government.
During his speech, DAEO Sulaik assured the Basileños that NIA will come to them to address their irrigation needs as the Irrigators Associations (IAs) are the main reason why NIA exists. “Sa ating pinaka importanteng panauhin sa araw nato, ang ating Irrigators Associations, kung wala kayo, wala rin ang NIA. Kayo ang aming sadya dito. Maaring magkaroon tayo ng Satellite Office sa Basilan upang ang ating magsasaka ay hindi na mahirapan pang pumunta ng Zamboanga upang idaing ang problema nila", he said.
Meanwhile, Governor Salliman said "The Province of Basilan is willing to give its full support to NIA para mapabuti ang buhay ng aming magsasaka at para ma-improve ang agricultural sector ng buong Prubinsya”, as he led the group of Local Chief Executives in showing support to the National Irrigation Administration.
The activity was spearheaded by ZAMBASULTA Regional Sub-office (ZRSO) headed by Acting Manager Robert Berni L. Rada II with the active contribution of its staff from the Institutional Develooment Unit headed by Ms. Leni Enriquez. As the host agency, NIA Region IX Manager Layasan expressed her gratitude to the Local Chief Executives of Basilan Province for their outmost support to NIA’s undertakings. She emphasized that is through their support that NIA is able to provide the services to the local farmers in the province.