NIA MIMAROPA Plants Over 2,000 Trees for Watershed Conservation on NIA's 62nd Anniversary

Submitted by admin-r4b on

 

As part of the National Irrigation Administration's (NIA) 62nd-anniversary celebration, NIA MIMAROPA joined the Nationwide Simultaneous Tree Planting Activity on July 4, 2025. The activity, with the theme 'Luntiang Kagubatan, Matatag na Irigasyon,' highlighted the critical importance of conserving and rehabilitating watersheds to ensure stable irrigation sources.

The initiative was led by Regional Manager Engr. Ronilio M. Cervantes, along with Engineering and Operations Division Manager Engr. Lowell L. Lozano and Administrative and Finance Division Manager Kirsty Caroline M. Hernandez-Aceron. They partnered with the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU), Municipal Environment & Natural Resources Office (MENRO), the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO), the Department of Agriculture, as well as landowners and selected Irrigators’ Association beneficiaries. Before planting, Mr. Joel Morillo, Forester III and Conservation and Development Section Chief from PENRO, shared essential knowledge on proper seedling handling and optimal tree planting techniques, ensuring the activity’s success.

The tree planting efforts across the MIMAROPA region yielded significant results:

  • Regional Office and MOMARO IMO: Employees, supported by Division Manager Engr. Maria Victoria O. Malenab, planted 1,000 fruit-bearing trees on a 0.5-hectare watershed within the Baco-Bucayao River Irrigation System (RIS) in Brgy. Arangin, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
  • Palawan IMO: Led by Division Manager Engr. Armando L. Flores, they planted 550 fruit-bearing and hardwood trees across a 1-hectare watershed of the Malatgao RIS in Narra.
  • Occidental Mindoro IMO: Under the leadership of Division Manager Engr. Raymundo L. Calusin, they planted 514 fruit-bearing trees on a 1.8-hectare watershed of the Caguray River Irrigation System in Magsaysay.

In total, NIA MIMAROPA successfully planted 2,064 fruit-bearing and hardwood trees, making a substantial contribution to the conservation and rehabilitation of vital watershed areas throughout the region.