Submitted by admin-r4b on
As part of the National Irrigation Administration's (NIA) 62nd-anniversary celebration, NIA MIMAROPA, through the initiative of Regional Manager Engr. Ronilio M. Cervantes, held the 'Gulayan sa Patubigan' program of NIA Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen on July 4, 2025. This program, participated in by Irrigators Associations and the Institutional Development program implementers of the region, allowed farmer beneficiaries to plant fruits and vegetables along irrigation canals. This effort helped local farmers, contributed to the country's food supply, and also kept irrigation systems working well by reducing weeds and improving water flow.
This sustainable farming program saw participation from numerous irrigators’ associations throughout the day. It was supported by Engineering and Operations Division Manager Engr. Lowell L. Lozano, and the managers of the different Irrigation Management Offices (IMOs): Engr. Maria Victoria O. Malenab (Mindoro Oriental-Marinduque-Romblon IMO), Engr. Raymundo L. Calusin (Occidental Mindoro IMO), and Engr. Armando L. Flores (Palawan IMO).
Significant contributions across MIMAROPA included:
- Oriental Mindoro: The Bacungan 1 & 2 Irrigators Association in Pinamalayan planted 870 vegetable seedlings (chili, eggplant, tomato, okra, string beans) along the lateral canals of the Pula River Irrigation System.
- Marinduque: The Silangang Santa Cruz Irrigators Association in Angas contributed by planting 450 okra seeds.
-
Romblon: A total of 340 vegetable seedlings were planted across its islands:
- Tablas Island: The Taboboan-Tulay Irrigators' Association in Odiongan planted eggplant, bell pepper, string beans, upo, okra, ampalaya, and green chili.
- Sibuyan Island: The Danao Cajidiocan Farmers Irrigators' Association in Cajidiocan focused on eggplant, ampalaya, upo, and patola.
- Occidental Mindoro: The Bugtong Buri Olima Irrigators' Association in Magsaysay planted 768 seedlings (bell pepper, hot chili, tomato) along 500 meters of their lateral A canal.
- Palawan: The Dumanguena Manaile River Irrigators Association in Narra planted 30 papaya, 30 eggplant, and 100 lemon grass at the Malatgao River Irrigation System.
The fresh vegetables harvested from these gardens were also sold through the 'Kadiwa ng Pangulo' program. This strategic partnership helped ensure communities had access to affordable and fresh farm products. With continued support, the 'Gulayan sa Patubigan' program remained a prime example of smart, sustainable farming, showcasing how NIA and its partners were effectively working together for improved food security and efficient irrigation management.