LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET – National Irrigation Administration’s top official, Gen Ricardo R Visaya (Ret), led the agency’s turnover of 11 irrigation projects to various Irrigators’ Associations in the province at the NIA-CAR grounds in Brgy. Wangal on November 20, 2021.
These projects currently serve 264 hectares benefitting 373 farmers in seven municipalities. With an aggregate cost of about 35 million pesos, the projects were funded in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
With the turnover done, the Irrigators’ Associations will now be in charge in the operation and maintenance of the irrigation systems.
“Itong mga naiturnover sa inyo na irrigation systems, alagaan ninyo kasi para sa inyo yan. Please do do it in the proper way,” said Visaya to the Irrigators’ Associations.
“Strengthen your leadership, cooperation, and work together for the betterment of irrigation systems in your areas,” he added.
The irrigation systems which were turned over include Cabutotan Communal Irrigation System (CIS) in Madaymen, Kibungan which was turned over to Cabutotan Irrigators Association, Inc.; Cotop Pinanchay CIS in Bashoy, Kabayan which was turned over to Bashoy Indigenous Peoples Farmers Communal Irrigators Association, Inc.; Jappa-Minak-Conet Small Irrigation Project (SIP) in Shilan, La Trinidad which was turned over to Shilan Farmers Irrigators Association, Inc.; and, Kapangan Central CIS in Central, Kapangan which was turned over to Salat Kabelbelan Farmers Irrigators Association, Inc.
Meanwhile, the Mambolo-Tinongdan SIP in Tinongdan, Itogon was turned over to Tinongdan Indigenous Peoples Organization; Gasal Amsilweng CIS in Masala, Kibungan was turned over to Planterms Farmers Association, Inc.; Sapid CIS in Sapid, Mankayan was turned over to Sapid Irrigators and Farmers Association, Inc.; Taba-ao CIS in Taba-ao, Kapangan was turned over to ABUDICK Irrigators Association, Inc.; Shalongen Creek-Dalabi SIP in Twin Peaks, Tuba was turned over to Dalabi, Al-ogan, Soyosoy Irrigators Farmers Association, Inc.; Umesbeg Caucalan CIS in Taloy Sur, Tuba was turned over to Inunas Toyong Shontog Irrigators Association, Inc.; and,
Taloy Sur CIP in Taloy Sur, Tuba was turned over to Taloy Sur IA.
“Aywanan mi daytoy project nga naiturnover kanyami. Sapay kuma ta agtuloy tuloy daytoy nga bonding tayo, NIA, IA kn LGU,” said Brian Ducat, president of Taloy Sur IA. The Taloy Sur CIP was funded under NIA’s Balikatan Sagip Patubig Program (BSPP) with counterpart funding from the Municipal Local Government of Tuba.
“Kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa mga irrigation projects ng NIA sa probinsya ng Benguet at sana po tuloy-tuloy ang proyekto ng NIA despite the devolution,” said Benguet Vice-Governor Johnny Waguis.
The turnover activity was also graced by Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan, Tuba Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan, Kibungan Mayor Cesar Molitas, various councilors, barangay chairpersons and leaders of Benguet Irrigators’ Associations as well as Hon. Remy Albano, president of CAR Federation of IA and National Confederation of IA.
Also in attendance during the activity are NIA Senior Deputy Administrator Romeo Lopez, Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Freddie Toquero, PAIS Manager Eden Victoria Selva and NIA employees.
Devolution of Communal Irrigation Systems
Administrator Visaya also underscored on the devolution plans of the government in which NIA has no recourse but to work in its implementation.
Executive Order No. 138 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations mandates the National Government to begin transferring certain functions to LGUs. The Supreme Court Mandanas-Garcia ruling affirmed that local government units are entitled to a “just share” on all national taxes collected and not only from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
LGUs will have an increase in the overall Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) shares and are expected to assume delivery of services which have been devolved to them under Republic Act 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991.
According to Visaya, devolution entails development of communal irrigation systems will have to be turned over to the local government units which are under the 1st to 4th class municipalities. Meanwhile, development, operation and maintenance of National Irrigation Systems as well as those irrigation systems in the 5th to 6th class municipalities will remain with the NIA. While devolution starts implementation in 2022, this will be done in a three-year transition period.
Visaya explains that with the devolution program, NIA’s budget for CY 2022 was cut down from P42 billion to P32 billion.
“Pero nakaalalay pa rin ang NIA especially sa technical aspect,” Visaya assures the LGUs.