UPRIIS department manager Rosalinda B. Bote receives the award during the virtual awarding ceremonies on Tuesday. Contributed photo
CABANATUAN CITY – The Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (UPRIIS) which supplies irrigation to farm lands in Nueva Ecija and some parts of adjoining provinces bagged five awards, including the most coveted Integrated Irrigation System Office (IISO) of the Year during the National Irrigation Administration’s 58th funding anniversary on Tuesday.
The other UPRIIS’ offices and personnel awarded in the Annual Search for Outstanding Performers for 2020 by the NIA program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence or NIA-PRAISE were Division I as IISO-Division Office of the Year; Administrative and Finance (AdFin) Division manager Milca B. Cayanga , field office-based Best Division Manager on Support Function; Division II Operations and Maintenance Chief Engr. Marvin C. Bustamante, field office-based Best Employee on Core Function; and Division I AdFin chief Jennifer Esguerra, field office-based Best Employee on Support Function.
It was the third time UPRIIS was also named IISO of the Year. It bagged the award in 2017 and 2019.
Cayanga was also accorded the same recognition in 2018.
For NIA-UPRIIS department manager Rosalinda B. Bote, the awards were affirmation of their efforts to serve the nation amid the pandemic due to coronavirus disease 2019.
“NIA UPRIIS has performed a remarkable undertaking in CY-2020 amidst the surge of Covid-19, remaining resilient in addressing both global and social challenges,” Bote said, adding their office upholds NIA’s anniversary theme “NIA: A Catalyst for Progress with 58th Years of Efficient, Resilient and Sustainable Irrigation Development.”
Bote, along with the UPRIIS division managers from head and field offices, joined the virtual program of the central office where the PRAISE awardees were named via Facebook Page livestreaming.
She said she was grateful for the outstanding performance of UPRIIS managers in their respective field as well as the “dedicated section chiefs, unit heads, and all office staff and field personnel.” “These are all our exerted efforts and everyone was appreciated. Congratulations po sa ating lahat,” said the department manager.
Further, Mr. UPRIIS bet, Engr. Christian Gyver B. Red for Mr. and Ms. NIA Virtual Pageant was also awarded as Most Liked/Most Popular Mr. NIA candidate, and landed as Mr. NIA 2nd Runner Up. It may also be noted that the NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff during its National Review and Planning Workshop in February 2021 recognized UPRIIS Public Relations Officer (PRO) as the Outstanding PRO of the Year for CY 2020.
“We are very proud to be part of UPRIIS,” she exclaimed. “To God be the Glory! All the hard work paid off. Despite this very hard time, we were able to cope with our targets and commitments,” Bote added.
