NIA-CAR marks 30th founding anniversary

Engr. Abraham B. Akilit, former Regional Manager of NIA-CAR, and three-term Mayor of Bauko, Mountain Province, was the guest speaker during the opening program of the 30th Founding Anniversary celebration of NIA-CAR. He underlined the importance of NIA as an agency that is contributory to the progress and prosperity of the country, what with food as the number one primordial need in the attainment of the progress of the country.

The National Irrigation Administration - Cordillera Administrative Region marked a milestone as it celebrates its 30th founding anniversary at the NIA-CAR grounds, May 24-25, 2023.

Engr. Abraham B. Akilit, former Regional Manager of NIA-CAR, and three-term Mayor of Bauko, Mountain Province, was the guest speaker during the opening program of the 30th Founding Anniversary celebration of NIA-Cordillera Administrative Region.

“NIA is one of the key agencies that can best deliver its contribution in the progress of the country, the fact that agriculture cannot function without water. As such, NIA together with the farmers, politicians, LGUs and all necessary agencies must strengthen the protection, conservation, and holistic care and maintenance of our watersheds,” Akilit said

As agriculture cannot function without water, the guest speaker urged NIA officials and employees, farmers, Irrigators' Associations, politicians, LGUs and other government agencies to embark on the holistic protection, conservation, care, and maintenance of watersheds, one of his advocacies as a leader.

Employees who started at NIA-CAR during its early existence in the 1990s show their joy with NIA-CAR having reached this far.

Engr. Samuel Bahiwag, Ms. Rita Afidchao and Mr. Jayson Dog-e were awarded “Growth Drivers of the Year (2022)”, one of the awards during the Awards and Recognition Program as part of the anniversary celebration. Regional Manager Benito Espique, Jr., Administrative & Finance Division Manager Grace Fanged and Engineering and Operation Division Manager Raymundo Calusin led the Awards and Recognition Program.

NIA-CAR started operations in May 1993 with the head office established at the old building of NIA-Benguet PIO in Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet, per NIA Memorandum Circular No. 24, s. 1993 entitled ‘Creation of National Irrigation Administration-Cordillera Administrative Region’ signed on May 11, 1993 by then NIA Administrator Apolonio Bautista.

Before the creation of NIA-CAR in 1993, irrigation of the provinces of CAR was still under the wings of NIA Regions 1 and 2. Engr. Akilit went on to share the experiences the NIA Cordillera has gone through over the years.

Engr. Benito Espique, Jr., NIA-CAR regional manager, said during the opening of the 30th NIA-CAR Founding Anniversary that as NIA-CAR gains more years, it endeavors to continually improve its services to its clients—the farmers.
Engr. Benito Espique, Jr., NIA-CAR regional manager, said that as NIA-CAR gains more years, it endeavors to continually improve its services to its clients—the farmers.

Parts of the celebration are the sports fest, singing competition, awards and recognition program and the search for Ms. NIA-CAR. Winners of the Singing Competition are Ms. Sherelyn Agati of Apayao IMO, first place, Ms. Christine Carbonel of Kalinga IMO, second place, and Mr. Crisanto Abruhina of Alfonso Lista Pump Irrigation Project Office, third place.

NIA-CAR candidates from the regional office and the different field offices have proven that they are not just field workers but are also graceful, witty and talented during the first ever Search for Ms. NIA-CAR. Ms. Christine Carbonel of Kalinga (Candidate No. 2) who was crowned Ms. NIA-CAR will be the region’s representative to the Search for Ms. EncantaNIA 2023 which is part of NIA’s 60th Anniversary celebration in June 2023.

Ms. Christine Carbonel was crowned as Ms. NIA-CAR 2023 in the agency’s first ever Search for Ms. NIA-CAR. Ms. Sherelyn Agati of Apayao IMO and Ms. Gemma Rose Agwaking finished off as first and second runners-up respectively.

Meanwhile, the regional office including its satellite offices of Abra, Benguet, Ifugao and Mountain Province and Alfonso Lista Pump Irrigation Office was the overall champion of Sportfest.

Winners will comprise the region's delegation to the national celebration of NIA's 60th Founding Anniversary in June.

Photo Caption 1: Engr. Abraham B. Akilit, former Regional Manager of NIA-CAR, and three-term Mayor of Bauko, Mountain Province, was the guest speaker during the opening program of the 30th Founding Anniversary celebration of NIA-CAR. He underlined the importance of NIA as an agency that is contributory to the progress and prosperity of the country, what with food as the number one primordial need in the attainment of the progress of the country.

Photo Caption 2: Employees who started at NIA-CAR during its early existence in the 1990s show their joy with NIA-CAR having reached this far.

Photo Caption 3: Engr. Samuel Bahiwag, Ms. Rita Afidchao and Mr. Jayson Dog-e were awarded “Growth Drivers of the Year (2022)”, one of the awards during the Awards and Recognition Program as part of the anniversary celebration. Regional Manager Benito Espique, Jr., Administrative & Finance Division Manager Grace Fanged and Engineering and Operation Division Manager Raymundo Calusin led the Awards and Recognition Program.

Photo Caption 4: Engr. Benito Espique, Jr., NIA-CAR regional manager, said during the opening of the 30th NIA-CAR Founding Anniversary that as NIA-CAR gains more years, it endeavors to continually improve its services to its clients—the farmers.

Photo Caption 5: NIA-CAR candidates from the regional office and the different field offices have proven that they are not just field workers but are also graceful, witty and talented during the first ever Search for Ms. NIA-CAR. Ms. Christine Carbonel of Kalinga (Candidate No. 2) who was crowned Ms. NIA-CAR will be the region’s representative to the Search for Ms. EncantaNIA 2023 which is part of NIA’s 60th Anniversary celebration in June 2023.