Submitted by admin-r4b on
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) MIMAROPA, through its Mindoro Oriental-Marinduque-Romblon (MOMARO) and Occidental Mindoro Irrigation Management Offices (IMOs), under the leadership of Division Managers Maria Victoria O. Malenab, Engr. Raymundo L. Calucin and with the support of Regional Irrigation Manager Engr. Ronilio M. Cervantes, successfully mobilized potential farmer-beneficiaries for the Orientation on the Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program Track 2 held on June 26-27, 2025 at Oriental and Occidental Mindoro.
The two-day pilot orientation reached nearly 400 farmers from 42 Irrigators Associations across Oriental and Occidental Mindoro. The first orientation took place on June 26 in San Aquilino, Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, gathering 198 farmers from 12 Irrigators Associations. The following day, June 27, the event continued at the Astrodome in Buenavista, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, welcoming 195 participants from 30 Irrigators Associations.
The program provides financial assistance and crop insurance to help farmers cover production inputs and household expenses during the cropping season. Key partners involved include the DA-MIMAROPA Regional Field Office, Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), National Food Authority (NFA), Partner Lending Conduits (PLCs) such as Rural Bank of Bansud and Occidental Mindoro Cooperative Bank (OMCB), and Local Government Units (LGUs), along with NIA Staff of Occidental Mindoro IMO led by Edwin V. Arevalo, and MOMARO IMO led by Ailyn E. Aquino.
At the orientations, speakers included Paulo Antonio M. Rodriguez, Jemrick P. Ramos (Project Officers 1 of ACPC), Ruelita D. Nilo, Christopher Coloma, (Insurance Representatives from PCIC), Maritel P. Divina, (Manager, Rural Bank of Bansud), Cherrylyn V. Mendoza, (General Manager, Occidental Mindoro Cooperative Bank), Eddie D. Buen, (DA-RFO ACC II/APCO), Czarina Loren Q. Gutierrez, (NFA Ware House Supervisor) and Elemar Regindin (NFA Representative), alongside their teams.
Presentations outlined loan procedures, insurance coverage, and NFA’s procurement role, highlighting the program’s goal to sustain rural livelihoods. The strong turnout reflects a unified commitment to empowering Mindoro’s rice farmers through accessible credit and risk protection. -Rogeon S. Machon, IDO A