Submitted by admin-r4b on
Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro - The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Occidental Mindoro held an Inauguration and Turnover Ceremony for two newly completed Small Irrigation Projects (SIPs): the Victoria SIP located in Brgy. Victoria and the Pag-asa SIP in Brgy. Pag-asa on May 16, 2025.
The event was spearheaded by the Occidental Mindoro Irrigation Management Office (IMO), headed by Division Manager Engr. Raymundo L. Calusin, along with Senior Engineer Emelito V. Urriquia and Senior Irrigators Development Officer (IDO) Edwin V. Arevalo. Also in attendance were Principal Engineer C Engr. Edgard Laurenz M. Geronimo, Head of the Operations, Institutional, and Equipment Section, and Supervising IDO Engr. Ave Jane V. Alvarado, Head of the Institutional Development Unit, together with technical staff from the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) and Institutional Development Units.
Local officials and stakeholders who attended the ceremony include Hon. Walter Marquez, Municipal Mayor of Sablayan, Hon. Marvin P. Tadeo, Barangay Captain of Victoria; and Hon. Rodel A. Sioson, Barangay Captain of Pag-asa; and over 50 members of Alag Farmers and Irrigators Association (FIA) and Pag-asa Townsite Irrigators Association (IA).
“Kami po ay nagpapasalamat sapagkat malaki ang maitutulong nitong ginawang irrigation system para sa ani naming mga magsasaka – ang natipid namin mula sa hindi paggamit ng water pump ay maaari na po naming gamitin para sa abono at gamot,” said Elmer Dangeros, a member of the Alag FIA.
Established in 2025, the Alag FIA led by President Sammy Timson shall operate and maintain the Victoria SIP, with a service area of 30 hectares, expected to benefit around 24 farmers. The Pag-asa Townsite IA led by President Cristituto A. Bulaag, on the other hand, shall operate and maintain the Pag-asa SIP, with a service area of 180 hectares, expected to benefit approximately 33 farmers. Total irrigated area of these systems is expected to further expand with the completion of additional irrigation facilities in 2026.
This ceremony follows the turnover of four other recently completed irrigation projects: the Balao SIP, Armaca Solar-Powered Irrigation Project (SPIP), Tubili Communal Irrigation System (CIS), and Lusakan SIP, which were turned over to organized IAs in the municipalities of Abra de Ilog, Paluan, and Sta. Cruz on April 10 –11, 2025.
-Elan Vital D. Buhay, IDO A