The newly constructed solar powered pump and concrete tank with a capacity of 40,000 liters and installation of 520 meters pipelines is now fully operational to irrigate an area of 24 hectares to benefit 58 farmers at Lumayang Irrigators' Association represented by President Teresita L. Chua.

This acitivity is spearheaded by the NIA R-IX Acting Regional Manager Engr. Salome N. Layasan, ZRSO Acting Manager Robert Berni L. Rada II, Supervising IDO Ms. Rosie Lyn Bayawa, IDS Head Ms. Leni S. Enriquez, PRO Ms. Jennylyn Cleofe, ZRSO Acting Admin. Nurlinda A. Amil, PIC Engr. Frazel S. Hassan and facilitated by the IDOs headed by Jackielyn Manalo.

The Kauswagan San Vicente Farmers Irrigators Association (KASAVIFIA) Inc. is the region’s representative for the National Search for CY2021 Most Outstanding IA under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program-Irrigation Component (CARP-IC) category.

NIA-Central Office validation team compose of Engr. Delsy J. Revellame, Engr. Ricardo C. Lopez and Kyr Vincent Joseph T. Orallo conducted validation for KASAVIFIA, Inc, last June 2, 2022 at KASAVIFIA, Inc. Office, San Vicente, Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur.

The officers and board of trustees of KASAVIFIA, Inc. headed by IA President Virgelio G. Bacinillo Jr. came prepared with all their documents and records intact for the validators’ thorough assessment of their performance in the aspect of (1) Operation & Maintenance; (2) Financial; (3) Organization and Organizational Discipline; (4) Assistance Programs/Linkages and (5) Special Features.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 9 headed by Regional Executive Director Rad Donn L. Cedeño and his team visited NIA Region 9 at Tawagan Norte, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur on May 10, 2022.

This is DA's first visit to NIA as its new mother agency. Pursuant to Executive order 168 Series of 2022 dated April 15, 2022, the National Irrigation Administration is transferred from the Office of the President (OP) to the Department of Agriculture.

RED Cedeño and his team were welcomed by the management of NIA-9 headed by Acting Regional Salome N. Layasan along with other officials and key personnel of the NIA Regional Office.

A brief overview of the agency's project implementation was presented by Manager Layasan to the DA in order for them to have a general understanding of the agency's mandate and update of the Region's current and future projects.

Fourteen (14) completed irrigation projects were turned over to 14 Irrigators Associations within Zamboanga del Sur during a Mass Turn-over Ceremony held at Chandler Suites, Pagadian City on March 29, 2022.

The activity was spearheaded by NIA-9 Zamboanga del Sur Irrigation Management Office (IMO) headed by Engr. Benedicto Isagani O. Pulis Jr. Present during the event are Acting Regional Manager Salome N. Layasan; Local Chief Executives namely Hon. Victor J. Yu, ZDS Provincial Governor, represented by Jeofe Suzon, Provincial Administrator; Hon. Avelino J. Yrauda, Municipal Mayor, Dimataling; Hon. Greg Dayondon, Municipal Mayor, Tabina; and Hon. Celso A. Matias, Municipal Mayor of Bayog, represented by Engr. Ken Yunting, Municipal Engineer; select Brgy. Chairpersons; IA Presidents, other officials and Board of Trustees of the 14 Irrigators Associations; and staff of Zamboanga del Sur IMO.

The following are the 14 completed irrigation systems turned-over to its respective farmer beneficiaries:

The females of NIA-9 Regional Office went out of its usual office routine to celebrate Women's Month this year, with the theme "Agenda ng Kababaihan, Tungo sa Kaunlaran".

The Regional Office has lined up activities not only to serve the female employees of NIA-9 but also the women in the field - the Women Irrigators Associations and its children (photos uploaded in another post).

Part of the celebration was a lecture about Magna Carta of Women and Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) by Atty. Kathering Grace Lumilis, the Legal Officer of NIA-9.

Health and wellness activities were also conducted which include Zumba exercise and swimming. Also, a Musika ng Kakaihan session was held wherein female employees rendered songs related to women empowerment.

This one day celebration was held on March 25, 2022 at Tambulig Spring Resort, Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur. It was participated by women leaders Acting Regional Manager Salome N. Layasan, the EOD Manager Maritez I. Soria, and Audit Team Leader Florencefane J. Arellano, together with all the female staff of NIA-9 Regional Office and COA-NIA team.