Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur – In an apt forum to discuss President Duterte’s ‘Free ISF’ promulgation, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region IX recently concluded its 4^th Annual IA Congress last September 9, 2016 at NIA Regional Irrigation Office Function Hall, Tawagan Norte, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.

Attended by 309 Irrigators’ Association (IA) officials grouped in five batches from 170 IAs across the Zamboanga Peninsula, NIA-9 Regional Irrigation Manager (RIM) Diosdado A. Rosales comprehensively talked about the possible impact from both the IA’s and NIA’s end to dissolve several concerns expressed relative to the said pronouncement.

“NIA supports the President’s policy statement and direction of No ISF or Free ISF, and will continue to perform its functions, less the ISF collection. Farmers will enjoy a considerable savings of P4,250.00 per hectare per year for the National Irrigation Systems (NISs) and P1,275.00 for the Communal Irrigation Systems (CISs) ,” he said as an introduction.

Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur – The National Irrigation Administration – IX (NIA) turned over the 5 M worth of irrigation project of San Vicente Communal Irrigation System to Kauswagan San Vicente Farmers Irrigators’ Association, Inc. (KASAVIFIA) last August 25, 2016 at KASAVIFIA Office, San Vicente, Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur.

The completed project is said to cover a total service area of 213 hectares and is projected to benefit 164 farmers of barangays San Vicente and Kauswagan. This 5 M irrigation project includes 830 meters canalization, an irrigation service road, and 400 meters protection dike of Kauswagan Creek, its water source.

Engr. Joel C. Atay, the Zamboanga del Sur Irrigation Management Office Head spearheaded the ribbon cutting and project turnover ceremony where it was attended by LGU dignitaries, namely, San Vicente Brgy. Captain Gomersendo D. Perez, Tambulig Municipal Vice-Mayor Caridad B. Balaod, Tambulig Municipal Mayor Protocio L. Aleman, Poblacion Aurora Mayor Jojo Palma, and the Vice-Governor of Zamboanga del Sur Ace William E. Cerilles.