NIA - Region 7

𝐍𝐈𝐀 𝐂𝐞𝐛𝐮 𝐑𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐥 𝐍𝐢ñ𝐨

The National Irrigation Administration Bohol-Cebu-Siquijor Irrigation Management Office- Cebu Office convened a major stakeholders’ meeting in Guadalupe, Cebu City on June 16, 2026, bringing together more than 200 farmers from Cebu City and Cebu Province Irrigators Associations, alongside partner agencies, all working collectively to strengthen coordinated action against the looming threat of El Niño.

Led by NIA 7 Regional Manager Engr. Eusebio S. Villamanto and NIA Cebu Division Manager Engr. Maritez I. Soria, the convergence meeting underscored the urgency of proactive measures to safeguard agricultural productivity.

In her welcome message, Engr. Soria spoke with deep empathy for the farmers and partner agencies present: “We at NIA share your worries about the challenges El Niño may bring. Today is not just about meetings or reports- it is about standing together as one community. By listening to each other and working hand in hand, we can find ways to protect our fields, our families, and our future. You are not alone in this struggle; we are here to walk with you.”

Meanwhile, Engr. Villamanto stressed that while irrigation remains NIA's primary mandate, the agency continues to pursue convergence initiatives that connect farmers to various government programs and services aimed at improving their quality of life.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor D. Archival Sr., who also attended the event, expressed solidarity with farmers and underscored the importance of sustainable irrigation projects in strengthening the sector's resilience against El Niño.

The program continued with presentations and discussions from line and partner agencies such as PAG-ASA, DA, DOLE, DSWD, DPWH, and local agricultural offices. These sessions provided vital updates, support programs, and technical guidance for farmers.

PAG-ASA presented detailed weather outlooks, emphasizing the importance of early warnings and localized forecasts. Timely alerts would allow farmers to adjust planting schedules, conserve water, and prepare irrigation systems ahead of prolonged drought conditions.

DOLE representative discussed livelihood assistance programs tailored for farmers who may experience reduced yields due to El Niño and highlighted opportunities for alternative income sources applicable to farmers affected by drought.

DSWD outlined social protection measures, including food packs, cash-for-work programs, and targeted aid for vulnerable farming families.
DPWH presented its plans and programs for the future construction of dams and water-holding facilities, designed to improve storage capacity and ensure reliable water supply for farmers, particularly in times of drought.

DA and the Provincial and City Agriculture Office shared practical strategies such as crop diversification, drought-resistant seed distribution, and intensified farmer education campaigns. They emphasized that localized interventions, supported by national programs, would be key to sustaining agricultural productivity.

The open forum gave farmers the chance to raise their concerns directly, fostering meaningful dialogue between community-level stakeholders and government agencies. The convergence concluded with a unified commitment to implement coordinated mitigation measures, ensuring Cebu’s farming sector remains resilient against climate challenges.

WEDNESAY is KADIWA sa NIA R7 Day!

𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑷𝑬𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑵𝑶𝑾: Regular customers flock today as farmer-irrigators from Ubay, Bohol opens early for its Kadiwa sa NIA every Wednesday at NIA Compound, Dao, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

Also spotted: our Regional Manager Engr. Eusebio S. Villamanto supporting the farmers with his weekly supply of fresh bananas!

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𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆!

(1) AGRONOMIST B
(1) ECONOMIST B
(3) SENIOR WATER RESOURCES FACILITIES TECHNICIAN

(Please refer to each image for the job description)

Submit your applications to:

ENGR. MARITEZ I. SORIA
Division Manager, NIA Bohol-Cebu-Siquijor Irrigation Management Office
Address: JA Clarin St., Dao, Tagbilaran City, Bohol
Contact No.: (038) 501-7150
Email: [email protected]

Apply now!

𝐍𝐈𝐀-𝐍𝐎𝐒𝐎 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐐𝐌𝐒 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐮 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐭

Demonstrating its commitment to quality and continuous improvement, the National Irrigation Administration Region VII conducted an Internal Quality Audit (IQA) in Negros Oriental Satellite Office (NIA-NOSO) on May 28–29 at the NIA-NOSO Office, Sibulan, Negros Oriental.

The two-day audit evaluated the effectiveness of the office's Quality Management System (QMS), verified compliance with ISO 9001:2015 standards and agency policies, and identified opportunities to further enhance the delivery of efficient and responsive irrigation services to farmers and stakeholders.

NIA-NOSO Head Engr. Helen T. Lacpao expressed appreciation to the audit team for their vital role in upholding quality standards and fostering continuous improvement.

"This audit is helpful in identifying process gaps, strengthening operations, and sustaining excellent public service anchored on ISO 9001:2015 and NIA policies", Engr. Lacpao emphasized.

Section Chiefs, Unit Heads, and personnel of NIA-NOSO actively participated in the activity, reaffirming the office's collective commitment to maintaining a culture of quality, accountability, and service excellence.

Through regular internal audits, NIA Region VII continues to strengthen its offices and ensure that its programs and services remain responsive to the needs of the farming communities across Central Visayas.

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𝐍𝐈𝐀 𝐂𝐞𝐛𝐮 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭-𝐨𝐟-𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬

Recognizing the crucial role of right-of-way acquisition in the timely implementation of irrigation projects, the NIA Bohol-Cebu-Siquijor Irrigation Management Office (BCSIMO)-Cebu Office convened project implementers and Irrigators Development Officers for an orientation on land acquisition laws and policies on March 24, 2026.

Facilitated by Atty. Revneil Jane L. Fabiosa of the Regional Office VII, the orientation on Republic Act (RA) 10752, or the Right-of-Way Act, and RA 12289 aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity in addressing ROW concerns and to orient them on the IDP milestones covering Pre-Construction, Construction, and Operation and Maintenance phases.

The session gathered Irrigators Development Officers (IDOs), Project In-Charge Engineers, and Institutional Development Program (IDP) implementers involved in construction projects led by Engr. Gemini Rose M. Abuan and Rowena G. Encabo.

Atty. Fabiosa underscored key legal frameworks governing irrigation development, including environmental regulations, water rights and water use regulation, agricultural development policy, among others.

With this orientation, participants broader understanding of the institutional and regulatory environment supporting irrigation projects reinforcing the importance of lawful, transparent, and efficient project implementation.

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Bagama’t pangunahing tungkulin ng ahensya ang irigasyon, ang tunay na misyon ng NIA ay iangat ang buhay ng bawat magsasakang Pilipino.

Ito ang paalala ni NIA Administrator Engr. Eddie G. Guillen sa mga kawani ng NIA. Hinihikayat niya ang bawat isa na tumulong sa pagbuo at pagpapaunlad ng mga kooperatiba ng magsasaka. Dahil sa bandang huli, ang malasakit sa kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka ay higit na mas matibay sa anumang nakasulat sa papel.

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