SOMINOT, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR — The NIA - Zamboanga del Sur Irrigation Management Office (ZDSIMO) onducted a Turn-out Service Group Area (TSAG) Meeting on May 30, 2025, in Brgy. Bag-ong Baroy, Sominot, Zamboanga del Sur, to address key irrigation concerns raised by the local farming community. The meeting was led by Supervising Institutional Development Officer (IDO) Ann N. Maligro and attended by 12 participants, including officers and members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Bag-ong Baroy Irrigators' Association, Inc.

Farmers actively participated in the dialogue, raising concerns such as the canal's lower elevation compared to rice fields, which affects water distribution, and an unfinished canal section lacking proper cover that hinders maintenance. These issues reflect the community's strong involvement in sustaining and improving irrigation operations in their area.

MIDSALIP, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR — The NIA Zamboanga del Sur Irrigation Management Office (ZDSIMO) successfully conducted a Turn-Out Service Area Group (TSAG) meeting on May 30, 2025 in Brgy. Lumpunid, Midsalip, aimed at addressing irrigation concerns and enhancing support for irrigators associations.

The meeting was led by Ms. Ann N. Maligro, Supervising Institutional Development Officer (IDO) of ZDSIMO, and gathered 15 members of the Boloron Lumpunid Dumalinao Farmers Irrigators' Association (IA). Also present were Barangay Councilors Hon. Felix Cabrera, Hon. Bonifacio Rico and Hon. Dondon Alison, IA Board of Trustees, and IA officers, and other NIA key personnel.

Discussions centered on the findings of the recent geo-resistivity survey, which indicated low water yield in the area. In light of this, the Irrigators Association formally requested an additional solar pump to enhance water supply and sustain agricultural productivity. The request will undergo further evaluation as part of a potential proposal for a future solar irrigation project.

TITAY, ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY - The NIA Zamboanga Sibugay Irrigation Management Office (ZSIMO), in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), conducted a drone survey for the Titay Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) on May 27-29, 2025.

The survey is part of the final environmental inventory for areas affected in the National Greening Program (NGP) and Community-Based Forest Management Agreements (CBFMA). It also forms part of the pre-engineering requirements for the project's Feasibility Study (FS) and Detailed Engineering (DE). A flight plan was prepared as guide for the aerial survey, which captured real-time images of areas that may be submerged by the planned reservoir.

INDANAN, SULU - The NIA ZAMBASULTA Regional Sub-Office (ZRSO) through its Institutional Development Officers (IDOS) and in partnership with the Ministry of Basic, Higher & Technical Education - TESD Sulu, conducted a Pre-Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Orientation at Maimbong Communal Irrigation System (CIS) in Brgy. Kan Islam, Indanan, Sulu last May 31, 2025. The training was facilitated by IDOS Ms. Fernaida K. Dahim and Ms. Femei Jhay Maatubang, with Mr. Julibert C. Parmada from Sulu College of Technology as the lead resource speaker. Sulu's Office of Provincial Agriculture (OPAG) Officer Ms. Virginia P. Arreza also graced the event.

The orientation focused on empowering members of the Kan Islam Farmers IA and Lunggang Tillers IA by providing them with vital knowledge on solar power system operation and maintenance. This initiative supports the integration of clean energy into farming practices, helping to improve water efficiency and promote sustainable agriculture in the area.

POLANCO, ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE — The NIA Zamboanga del Norte Regional Sub Office (NIA ZDNRSO) successfully held a Turnout Service Area Group (TSAG) meeting with the Guisali Irrigators Association, Inc. on May 29, 2025 at Barangay Lingasad in Polanco.

Led by Institutional Development Unit (IDU) Head Alvin Christian B. Dequito and Head of Design Engr. Rodel Yunting, the meeting focused on improving the maintenance and sustainability of irrigation facilities. The IDU team emphasized the importance of following the guidelines under Memorandum Circular No. 55, series of 2014, which outlines proper maintenance practices. The farmers, in turn, expressed their full support and commitment to taking an active role in caring for their irrigation system. One concern raised was the damaged elevated flume in Sector San Antonio. To address this, Engr. Yunting assured the group that he will conduct an on-site inspection early next week to assess the damage and recommend appropriate engineering solutions, including a proposed bond aid repair.