Flora, Apayao—Employees of the Apayao Irrigation Management Office (IMO) will now enjoy a more conducive and spacious workplace after the inauguration of its new two-story building in Brgy. Poblacion East on October 12, 2022.
“We at the Regional Office are happy that we can see the improvement of this workplace. Our farmers will also be happy as it is easier to seek assistance from NIA Apayao since it is located near them,” said Engr. Benito Espique, Jr. NIA-CAR Regional Manager.
The new building houses the division manager’s office, engineering section, operation and maintenance section, conference hall, and three guest rooms. Meanwhile, the administrative and finance section will still utilize the old building within the compound, while some operation and maintenance personnel of the West Apayao Abulug Irrigation System (WAAIS) will still hold office in Abulug, Cagayan.
The inauguration of the new office building is led by Gov. Elias Bulut, Jr. represented by Atty. Gerriahzon Sebastian, NIA-CAR Regional Manager Benito Espique, Jr., Vice Governor & Irrigators’ Association President Remy Albano, Mayor Rodolfo Juan of Flora and Apayao IMO Manager Samuel Bahiwag.
“This is a dream that turns into reality. The inauguration of this building shows that construction of buildings in our Municipality-Flora is possible. We can donate a portion of a lot if the NIA will extend its building,” said Mayor Rodolfo Juan of Flora. The compound on which the new building stands was donated by LGU-Flora.
“We are expecting more projects not only in Flora but for the Province of Apayao for the benefits of our farmers. Rest assured the LGU-Flora will always cooperate and support the PPAs [projects, programs and activities] of NIA,” Mayor Juan added.
During the early years of the NIA Apayao, the NIA sub-office in Abulug, Cagayan housed more employees than the smaller one in Flora, Apayao. To be able to serve the clients better, more and more NIA employees had to transfer office and make do with the meager space of the office building in Flora, Apayao.
According to Engr. Samuel Bahiwag, through the leadership of Engr. Manuel Bustonera, the conceptualization and construction of the new building within the office compound in Flora started from scratch, from small savings of various projects to purchase construction materials and little construction activities began. Engr. Leonardo Lamangen, who succeeded Engr. Bustonera, made best efforts to continue the construction until the completion of the half portion of the first floor to its usable stage. Exactly two years after the first soft inauguration of the building in 2020 when Engr. Lamangen turned over the leadership of Apayao IMO to Engr. Samuel Bahiwag, the building is now being inaugurated and ready for full utilization.