Engr. Florentino David, department manager of the National Irrigation Administration- Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-UPRIIS), said at least 15 delegates from Korea, Japan and Vietnam which belong to the International Network of Water and Ecosystem in Paddy Fields (INWEPF) have recently conducted an initial visit to the mammoth Pantabangan Dam and its tributaries, including Rizal Dam.
The advance delegation also visited an irrigators association in Guimba town which excelled in managing their groups and in helping UPRIIS take care of system’s facilities.
“Ipinakita natin kung paano natin iniipon ‘yung tubig, nire- reserve para sa future use. Halimbawa, ito nga, meron tayong wet season operations naipakita namin na before this cropping operations meron kaming ginagawang plan,” he said.
An international organization of irrigation officials has set its annual conference that will be highlighted by rounds to various systems in the Philippines sometime in November.
David said the conference serves as a venue for irrigation officials from member nations to exchange best practices and experiences which will help each nation to uplift its own services.
