CABANATUAN CITY – The Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (UPRIIS), headed by department manager Engr. Rosalinda B. Bote, was named top performer for the Integrated Irrigation Systems Office (IISO) for 2021 during the National Irrigation Administration’s 59th founding anniversary in Diliman, Quezon City on June 22.
The recognition personally received by Bote at Matikas Hall, NIA Central Office in Diliman, Quezon City, placed UPRIIS to the Hall of Fame for Best IISO having received it for three consecutive years starting 2019. The award was conferred to UPRIIS “after a careful evaluation of the NIA Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) Committee,” according to the citation.
The NIA top management led by administrator Ricardo R. Visaya and Senate committee on agriculture and food chair Sen. Cynthia A. Villar handed the plaque and token to Bote.
Bote expressed gratitude as UPRIIS also bagged awards in four categories of PRAISE with corresponding cash prizes, plaques, and tokens.
UPRIIS Division II was hailed as IISO Division Office of the Year under the stewardship of its manager, Engr. Alvin L. Manuel, Sr. This was the second time Division II received this award, the first was in CY 2019, Bote said.
Nobleto G. Perido of UPRIIS Dam and Reservoir Division under the leadership of Engr. Ernesto D. Ponce was recognized as Field Office Best Employee on Core Function of the Year, while Ceejay O. Paclibare of UPRIIS Division I managed by Engr. Felix L. Teaño, Jr. was Rookie of the Year Awardee.
The farmers’ group Makabilog Maynabo Tambo Irrigators’ Association led by Itspresident Rolando Maniquiz, Jr. was also recognized as 2021 National Most Outstanding Irrigators Association (National Irrigation System Category). The said IA is under UPRIIS Division III led by Engr. Elenita L. Toquero.
“With this year’s theme, “Synergy. Sustainability. Security. NIA@59: Conquering the Challenges of the New Normal,” UPRIIS believes that its employees have been working in synergy – sustaining its quality irrigation service delivery towards food security, and remaining true to its commitment in serving the Filipino farmers and other stakeholders,” said Bote.
In his anniversary message, Visaya recognized the men and women of NIA, in the past six years, for their commendable performances, serving the welfare of our countrymen, and the future generation.
For her part, Villar stressed that irrigating farm lands “is not an easy task,” citing the importance of irrigation.
“It takes both knowledge and efficient engineering to develop and maintain irrigation system in support of the agricultural program of the government, and the dedication and commitment of the men and women of NIA, and the support of farmer irrigators association nationwide to provide adequate level of irrigation service on sustainable basis in partnership with the farmers and the local government units,” Villar said.
She acknowledged NIA for being able to sustain its operation as a viable corporation and service-oriented agency with challenging issues at hand, that, she said, “is a big task.”
With NIA now back to being an attached agency to the Department of Agriculture, it will closely continue to develop, construct, operate, and maintain irrigation systems nationwide for our Filipino farmers.
“Congratulations Administrator Visaya and your team for the very good accomplishment, a record in history, that the status of irrigation for 2021 is 11.68% higher than the irrigation development status ten years ago,” the legislator added.
