THE Taloy Sur Irrigators’ Association (IA) of Tuba, Benguet was awarded Most Outstanding IA year 2016 (national level) for achieving exemplary performance in managing the operation and maintenance of its irrigation system.
The group won under the communal irrigation system category.
National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator General Ricardo Visaya awarded the plaque of recognition and P70,000 cash award to the IA on June 22 during the Agency’s 54th anniversary at the NIA Central Office in Quezon City.
The IA maintains and operates the Taloy Sur Communal Irrigation System located in Barangay Taloy Sur, Tuba, Benguet, which was constructed in 1988 and rehabilitated after the 1990 earthquake in Luzon.
The irrigation system was custom-built, composed mainly of reservoir tanks and High-density polyethylene pipe to serve the mountainous topography and distinctive crops of Benguet. It supplies irrigation to vegetables such as sayote and Baguio beans as well as some cutflowers such as rose and anthurium.
Ratings of the IA in functionality surveys reveal gradual improvement through the years.
In 2015, it was conferred with Special Performance Award as Most Outstanding IA for the Year 2014. In 2016, it was adjudged fifth runner-up in the Annual Search for 2015 Most Outstanding IA nationwide.
“Thank you very much for all those who supported us, especially the NIA with their unending support ever since the establishment of our association way back in 1987,” said Brian Ducat of Taloy Sur IA.
Like Ducat, other officers and members of the association are children of the old members of Taloy Sur IA.
“We tried our best to equip ourselves with the skills and knowledge in managing an organization by attending all capability building seminars and trainings conducted by NIA and other agencies,” Ducat said.
Through the system management trainings, they were able to learn how to operate and maintain their irrigation system with minimal supervision from the NIA.
The officers also shared minor damages to their irrigation facilities caused by storms are efficiently repaired by the members themselves. Water delivery schedules and other guidelines are also strictly implemented.
NIA-Cordillera Regional Manager John Socalo hoped the award serves both as a challenge and inspiration to all IAs in the region to do better in managing and operating their irrigation systems, and to all NIAns as they support the farmers’ associations in the region. (PIA)