Newsletter sapong 1st 2017 1

1st Quarter Edition CY 2017

NIA Caraga joined the simultaneous ceremony “Blowing of Bubbles” in its 1st day of work (January 3, 2017) headed by Regional Manager, Engr.

C’zar M. Sulaik to welcome the CY2017.

It is a new beginning for the agency, a shift from corporate to a developmental/ social agency. Change is the right term for the shift.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Ushering in 2017: A New Beginning NIA Administrator’s Visit

Inauguration & Turn-over og Maslog CIP Tagbina CIP Turn-over Ceremony Photo News Pahibalo- Free ISF GAD Corner

Blowing Bubbles is an environmentally friendly alternative in welcoming the year, it is always fun; watching them bounce around towards the sky and twist with the wind. Bubbles dancing in the sky when hit by sun’s ray reflect back the colors of the rainbow. It also requires you to breathe and exhale. This is a great way to release your feeling as well and just let go. Breathe and release all the burden you had in 2016 and let the breeze carry them away into the sky, the bubbles carry with them the unattained goals of the Agency as well: carrying all supplications to the heavens for victories of the Agency.

NIA Administrator visit Caraga to fulfill Pres. Duterte’s promise “ NO ISF Collection”

Caraga Region-NIA Administrator, Peter Tiu Laviña traveled around NIA Caraga on February 4-5, 2017. Even in weekend, he spent time to have a dialogue with 472 Irrigator Associations (IAs) Officers both from National Irrigation Systems (NISs) and Communal Irrigation Systems (CISs) of Bislig Comprehensive Development Irrigation Project (BCDIP), Tago River Irrigation System (TRIS), Cantilan Irrigation System (CanTIS) of Surigao Del Sur IMO, Andanan-Wawa River Irrigation Systems (AWRIS), Baobo River Irrigation System (BRIS), Gibong River Irrigation System (GRIS) of AGusan del Sur IMO and Lower Agusan River Pump Irrigation System (LARPIS) and Cabadbaran-Taguibo River Irrigation System (CabTRIS) to inform them that the “NO ISF Policy” including the CIS amortization promised by our President Duterte has been approved and it will be implemented this year.

“The challenge is how to strenghten the IA with the new policy “NO ISF”, Admin Laviña said during dialogue to inform them that they have a huge role in implementing this policy so that they continue to manage their association and become an outstanding IA. But he assured them that the NIA will continue to assist them thru the Institutional Development Program (IDP).

He pointed out that NIA will focus in four aspects including the (1) implementation of NO ISF Policy, (2) to increase the irrigable areas through construction of additional irrigation systems/facilities to support the rice suffiency program, (3) to generate hydroelectric power as potential additional income of the agency (4) the constitutional change, federal form of government where in future the NIA will be part in the region so that the implemntations, transactions, decision making will be faster and promotes Powersharing, Respect, Resources and Development (PRRD).

Administrator Laviña was not only determined to meet the farmers but also took time to monitor the projects and NIA facilities, assisted by the IMO Managers of the provinces he visited Engr. Ferdinand D. Amon, SDSIMO Manager, Engr. Madante P. Ganotisi, ADSIMO Manager, Engr. Salome N. Layasan, ASDIIMO Manager, EOD Manager, Constancio G. Bana-ay, Jr and Regional Manager, C’zar M. Sulaik. In its first day, he visited HUBO CIS at San Agustin, SDS which is now implemented by NIA to ensure that it will be completed this year to irrigate 400 hectares. And in the following day, they visited the Gibong Dam and Andanam Dam in which the Administrator appreciated the good watershed in the area and plan that the NIA will improve/ implement the watershed

management to preserve the water resources. He also visited the newly repaired siphon and its river protection in Andanan to restore the cropping activities of the farmers where they failed to plant for three croppings due to damage caused by typhoons hit in the province.

In his last visited area in the region, Engr. Danny Yamis, LARPIS presented the operations and the yearly electric consumption of the Pumping Station amounting to 22M in CY2016 to draw water from the Agusan River, the increase of the consumption because of long drought experienced last year.

But before he ended his day, he managed to meet the regional staff and commended for the effort they exert even in weekend.(by: Jane B. Huqueriza, PRO-A) 2

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15M nga Proyekto ge Turn-over na sa mga Mag-uuma San Francisco, Agusan del Sur (Marso 21, 2017) - Nahimong mabulukon ang Brgy. Lapinigan, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur sa nahimong Turn-over Ceremony sa Maslog Communal Irrigation Project. Ang kalihukan gisugdan sa paghatag ug giya sa ginoo pina-agi sa pag blessing ni Father Ruel C. Jabonite sa pasilidad ug dayon gisundan kini sa Cutting of Ribbon.

Ang proyekto nagkantidad Sumala ni Engr. Madante dugay na panahon, pero ang atong mag-uuma sa pang-uma, bisan pa kini

ug 15M nga maka serbisyo sa 60 hektarya nga basakan sa 30 nga benepisyaryo.

P. Ganotisi, Agusan del Sur IMO Manager kini nga proyekto nasugdan na sa tungod sa kakulangon sa pondo wala kini nahuman. Pero padayon gihapon pangandoy nga mapondohan ang ilang proyekto para makatabang sa ilang gihagit sa mga nilabay na bagyo kon diin nadaot ang uban nga pasilidad.

Basi sa mensahe ni Mr.Cripen G. Colarte, IA President, nga sila mapasalamaton kauban sa iyang opisyales nga sa tuig 2015, napondohan na gayud ilang proyekto sa Maslog kay kini dakong tabang sa ilang nga mga mag-uuma kay ang tubig usa ka importante sa produksyon sa humay. Sumala sa mensah ni ni Engr. Constancio G. Bana-ay, Jr., OIC sa NIA Caraga, nga dili lalim ang pagkuha sa pondo kay kini pagadebatihan pa sa Kongreso kon kini ba nga proyekto angay mapondohan. Dugang pa niini, iyang gibutyag nga ang Agusan del Sur dako pa ang potential labi na sa agrikultura nga sektor kay mao kini ang adunay pinakadako ug Service Area sa Caraga, ug sa karon aduna pa kiniy 28.83 porsyento nga Irrigation Development ang maong probinsiya. Iya pod gipasabot nga miski libri na ang bayad sa patubig, pwede maghimo ug stratehiya ang IA nga sila makapondo para pang mentenar pina-agi sa pagpangolekta ug membership fee ug uban pa, pero kinahanglan nga ipa-agi sa assembleya ug iya gayud gipasabot nga kini dili e remit sa NIA. Nahimong mas sadya ang kalihukan kay kini suportado gayud sa Local Government Units (LGUs) sa Agusan del Sur nga gipanguluhan ni Hon.Samuel E. Tortor, ADS-Vice Governor ug mga Sanguniang Panlalawigan Members,Hon. Edward P. Mellana, Hon. Agusani A. Anonaria, Hon. Glenn M. Plaza, Kapitan sa Barangay nga si Hon. Dante H. Miro, ug ang inahan sa lungsod sa San Franciso, ADS na si Hon. Jenny De Asis.

Sigon ni Hon. Plaza na kinahanglan gayud nga tarungon ug mentenar ug tabangan ug amping kay kini nga proyekto dili lamang para sa karon kundi pati na sa umaabot nga henerasyon. “Pasahero na ang LGU ug taga NIA kay ang dryber karon mao na ang atong mga maguuma� mensahe ni Hon. De Asis, iyang gipasabot na gihatagan na ug katungod ang atong mga mag-uuma sa pagdumala sa ilang nahuman nga proyekto, ug isa kini nga dakong hagit kay labi na nga libri na ang patubig sa NIA kinahanglan gayud nga mabahinbahin kini ug tarong.

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Brgy.Ugoban, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur- Last March 21, 2017 marked the Turn-over Ceremony of Tagbina Communal Irrigation Project (CIP) held in Tagbina, Surigao del Sur. The Php 45 million irrigation project that belong to the Ugoban, Sta. Maria, Sta. Juana and DoĂąa Carmen (USSAD) ARC was funded under the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (ARISP III), financed by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) as lead agency and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) as implementing agency.

Ugoban-Nyholm Irrigators Association (IA) President LeopoldoEtabag expressed gratitude and requested for a continuous support from all government agencies, local government units (LGUs) and all the stakeholders of the completed project. He also stressed the support of LGU particularly in making an ordinance ensuring the protection of the watershed area.

The occasion was graced by Tagbina OIC-Municipal Mayor Antonio N. Adlao, Ugoban Barangay Captain German PeĂąalosa, Sr., National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Acting Regional Manager Constancio G. Bana-ay, Jr. and Staff, Surigao del Sur Irrigation Management Office (IMO) Division Manager Ferdinand D. Amon and Staff, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Regional Director Felix B. Aguhob and Staff, Provincial Agrarian Reform Office (PARO II)/ARISP III Provincial Project Manager Benjamin M. Mataksil, Irrigators Association (IA) President Leopoldo E. Etabag.

In his message, PARO II/ARISP III Provincial Project ManagerBenjamim M. Mataksil said that DAR will bring more projects to the community. He added by encouraging the farmers to continue their cooperation through attending meetings and continue aspiring for viability of the IA for better service to the farmers.

NIA Acting Regional Manager Engr. Constancio G. Bana-ay, Jr. reminisces the time the project was being conceived, the problems encountered , the challenges face. Finally it was completed and turn-over to the IA. He stressed out the importance of IA members full participation and assured the community of NIAs continued support, specifically when system need financial assistance. In fact, before the IA and LGU requested, the agency had already allotted CY 2017 Php to make the System fully operational, so that efficient water delivery could be felt and experience by the farmer beneficiaries. It is envisioned to increase the farmers income and improve t h e i r quality of life.

Tagbina CIP Turn-over Ceremony

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WORKSHOP ON INVENTORY OF AREAS (Jan. 20-21, 2017)

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ORIENTATION (3-9-17) NIA Caraga Regional Office through the Public Affairs and Information Staff (PAIS) headed by Ms. Pilipina P. Bermudez, PAIS Manager conducted an Orientation on the NIA Agency Manual on the Freedom of Information (FOI) on May 9, 2017 assited by Ms. Janet G. Lorono, PRO-NIA X The purpose of this FOI Manual is to provide the processes to guide and assist the NIA in dealing with request for information received under Executive Order (E.O0 No. 2 on Freedom of Information.

The manual shall set out the rules and procedures to be followed by NIA and all its offices nationwide, when the request for access to information is recieved.

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BECAUSE OF YOUR LEADERSHIP, WE ARE NO.

Farewell Is Not Goodbye!!!

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CONGRATULATIONS!!!

ENGR. C’ZAR M. SULAIK DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR FOR ENGINEERING & OPERATIONS DIVISION 7

PAHIBALO!!!!

Bag-uhay pa lamang gipagawas sa buhatan sa National Irrigation Administration ang Memorandum Circular 13 S. 2017 giya sa pag implementar sa libreng bayad sa patubig o Irrigation Service Fee (ISF) na gipirmahan sa kanhing Administrador sa buhatan na si Peter Tiu Laviña.

Sumala sa giya na ang libreng patubig pagasugdan na kini sa una nga pagpatanum (1st cropping)niining tuig 2017.

Gihalakip sa giya na hunungon na sa Irrigators Association (IA) /Federation of IA ang pagpangolekta ug ISF. Pero kini nga polisiya walay labot ang mga Corporate Farms, Fishponds ug uban nga dili pang agrikultura nga nagagamit sa patubig, kinahanglan gihapon sila mobayad ug ISF o Drainage Fee. Dili na pud mangolekta ang opisina sa amortization ug equity sa mga Communal Irrigation System.

Apan ang proyekto nga may partisipasyon ang LGU ang equity nga gikinahanglan magpabilin gihapon.

Ang back accounts o mga wala na bayaran nga ISF, amortization o equity, gapabilin gihapon nga obligasyon sa mag-uuma o sa IA. Ug ang pangolekta ipadayon gihapon sa taga NIA kauban ang buhatan sa Solicitor General ug Government Corporate Councel, ug pwede gihapon nga motabang ang IA sa pangolekta ug back account depende sa masabutan sa pareha nga panig.

Magapadayon gihapon ang programa sa buhatan nga Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) para sa NIS nga mandato sa balaod apan adunay e modify o gamay na pag utro tungod sa bag-ong polisiya nga No ISF, himuon nalang kini ug usa ka klase na IMT contract kundiin ang operation and maintenance nga responsibilidad na e transfer gikan sa NIA padulong sa IA padayon nga makadawat ug insentibo o pagabayaran sa ilang trabaho/serbisyo sa pagtake-over sa responsibilidad sa O&M. Sumala sa giya nga libre na ang patubig, apan ang IA pwede mangolekta ngadto sa ilang mga miyembro ug maintenance fee gawas sa regular nga ilang pagabyaran sama sa annual fee, membership fee, aron naa silay magamit para sa ilang operation and maintenance nga mga galastohan. Kanang pagpangolekta ug maintenance fee ug uban pa kinahanglan nga paga-aprobahan sa asembliya.

Bisan pa wala nay bayad sa patubig apan ang suporta sa NIA magpadayon pinaagi sa mga pagpahigayon ug meetings, congress, wokshop ug pag-giya sa mga insaktong pamaagi sa pagdumala sa usa ka asosasyon aron kini malig-on.

GAD CORNER

NIA Caraga On the Go for GAD Activities The 2017 National Women’s Month 2. KalandrakassaKababaihab XIII Celebration was participated by the @ Capitol Drive &Balnghai Hotel, NIA Caraga selected personnel with the Butuan City last March 8, 2017 and 3. Jail Visitation to Women Deprive following activities: 1. Roll-out of CHR Gender Ombad of Liberty @ Libertad, Butuan City Guidelines-conducted by CHR @ last March 15, 2017 Almont Inland Resort, Butuan City last The said activities focused on Women for Empowerment and March 3, 2017 Gender Equality.

EDITORIAL STAFF C’zar M. Sulaik Executive Editor & Consultant Constancio G. Bana-ay, Jr. Ferdinand D. Amon Madante P. Ganotisi Virginia A. Gonzaga Salome N. Layasan Consultants Jane B. Huqueriza Managing Editor Mary Ann Bugasia Photographer Contributors: ASDI IMO ADS IMO SDS IMO Produced by: National Irrigation Administration- Caraga Bancasi, Butuan City Telefax: (085) 342-5353 Email add: nia_caraga@yahoo.com Website: caraga.nia.gov.ph