DIPOLOG CITY.  NIA Region IX joined the 25th anniversary celebration of the Indigenous People Rights Act (IPRA) or the Indigenous People Rights Act of 1997, which was held at Mibang, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.

The celebration was organized by National Commission in Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Region IX and participated by various IP Leaders and Elders, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs), Local Government Units (LGUs) and National Government Agencies (NGAs). NIA-IX was represented by Ms. Ann Novabos Maligro, Head of Institutional Development Unit of NIA Zamboanga del Sur IMO.  

With IPs as long time partners of NIA, the Agency commemorates this significant celebration as a way of thanking the indigenous peoples of their support in the construction and completion of irrigation projects within their Ancestral Domain.

NIA-IX Regional Manager Salome Naragas Layasan together with Zamboanga Sibugay Irrigation Management Office (IMO) Acting Manager Girlie Detalla and her staff paid a courtesy visit to Zamboanga Sibugay 1st District Representative Atty. Wilter Y. Palma on November 6, 2022.

NIA-IX was welcomed by Atty. Palma himself. During the brief meeting, RM Layasan discussed the updates regarding the on-going and proposed irrigation projects in the province specifically in the areas of the Zamboanga Sibugay 1st District.

The session ended with hopes to a more strengthened partnership with the local government in providing sustainable and inclusive growth of local farmers in the province.

The Nagkahiusang Irrigators Association (IA) of Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur, an outstanding IA Awardee for CY 2021 starts its 16-week season long training on Vegetable Production.

As an awardee, the IA received a 1-million worth of IA model farm which includes a program training on High Valued Crops or Vegetable Farming. With that, 40 trainees composed of IA Officers / Board of Trustees and selected members undergo a Field School on Vegetable Production which started on October 26, 2022, and will end on February 2, 2023, held at Brgy Lower Usogan, Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur.

The facilitator of the said training is Mr. Rudy Macalisang from the Tambulig Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO). The farmers get to meet once weekly for a duration of 16 weeks. The training was made possible with the collaborative efforts of Zamboanga del Sur Irrigation Management Office (ZDS IMO) headed by Engr. Benedicto Isagani O. Pulis Jr, its Institutional Development and Engineering Units, and the Salug River Irrigation System (SARIS), with the support of Top Management of NIA-IX Regional Office headed by Regional Manager Salome Naragas Layasan .

The Mahayag Dam of Salug River Irrigation System (SARIS) located in Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur is currently undergoing major repairs for its Modernization and Automation.

The modernization and automation project of the Mahayag Dam has a total allocation of 114million. The major repairs include Retrofitting of existing sluiceway piers and towers; Construction of four (4) sets additional sluiceways; Construction of river protection; Modernization of sluice and intake gates through fabrication and installation of 4 sets of new sluicegates and 10 sets of new intake gates; and Installation of Dam Automation System.

The construction of additional sluiceways will ensure a more efficient silt removal and flood mitigation, while the new gates will ensure efficient dam operation against climate change. The Automation System of the Mahayag Dam is one of NIA's modernization strategies on its irrigation systems to mitigate the rapid detrimental effects of climate change.

DUMINGAG, ZDS - Residents of Brgy. Saad considered Geographically-Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAS) in Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur benefitted from the information & services given by various National Government Agencies through the Impormasyon-Serbisyo Caravan "Nagkakaisang Gobyerno, Serbisyong Bayan" of the Mindanao Communicators Network, Inc. Region IX Chapter, held on October 25, 2022.

NIA Region IX represented by its Public Relations Officer, Jennylyn R. Cleofe imparted to the locals the basic information of National Irrigation Administration's programs and services. At present, barangay Saad does not have any irrigation facilities yet. Due to rolling and mountainous terrain, rice is rarely planted in the area but most residents engaged in planting corn, banana, coconut, cassava, and  other diversified crops.

Among the services offered during the one-day caravan include Medical and Dental services of the Philippine Army, feeding program, and distribution of livelihood kits and school supplies from various government agencies.