NIA-CAR: REG’L CONVERGENCE, P33.5M FUNDING TO LIFT IAs, BOOST AGRI

April 20, 2024 Provincial

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet

National Irrigation Administration – Cordillera (NIA-CAR) has partnered with the Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to fasttrack irrigation, flood control projects, and uplift the socioeconomic well-being of irrigator associations (IAs). Engr. Leonardo Lamangen, Acting Manager,
Engineering and Operations Division , said the agency received P13 million under DOLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

In the 33rd General Assembly of Benguet Farmer’s Federation of Irrigators Association Inc. (BFFIA), Lamangen added that the agency is expected to receive additional P20 million for the same program. “Adda ti sumarsarunu
nga allocation tayo iti TUPAD, amounting to 20M, hopefully mai-release daytoy nga tawen,’ Lamangen said. For CY 2024, DOLE has set aside P10 million in total for the TUPAD implementation project, which aims to improve irrigation services for 1,1146 farmerirrigators in the six provinces in the region.

In 2023, the agency secured a budget of ± 1 million for Benguet for its TUPAD project, and additional ± 2.5 million is expected to be allocated this year for Benguet IAs, and in the implementation of irrigation projects. For its collaboration with DPWH,NIA- Benguet is set to implement the Baguyos Communal Irrigation System in Colalo, Mankayan. The project aims to safeguard irrigation canals and diversions in the area. Last year, DPWH and NIA
converged for the improvement of service roads of national irrigation systems in Cordillera.

Some of the completed projects were Abra River Irrigation System (ARIS), West Apayao Abulug Irrigation System (WAAIS), and Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS) in 2023. NIA-CAR is also exploring partnerships with the Philippine Machinery (PhilMach ) to provide IAs with necessary farming equipment. Lamangen encouraged IAs form cooperatives to avail government assistance. Furthermore, NIA-CAR is working with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to offer training programs in agriculture, construction, entrepreneurship, and automotive for IA members who wish to enroll and apply.

The NIA official urged IAs to continue submitting resolutions to his agency, pointing IAs possess in-depth knowledge about their communal areas and its needs. NIA will then present these resolutions to the DPWH office for consideration. NIA-CAR is also exploring partnerships with the Philippine Machinery (PhilMach) to provide IAs with necessary farm equipment’s. Lamangen encouraged the formation of cooperatives as a means to avail government services. Furthermore, NIA-CAR is working with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to offer training programs in agriculture, construction, entrepreneurship, and automotive for IA members who wish to enroll and apply.

Maedelyn P. Lumiwan, UB intern