Submitted by niaregion3 on
It is through the collaborative effort of the National Irrigation Administration, and National Water Resources Board that brings about a giant leap toward improving the country's water resource management systems.
A two-day workshop is now underway to finalize the guidelines for the implementation of the Memorandum of Agreement between the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) on the repurposing of NIA water rights. The workshop, dated January 23 to 24, 2025, is graciously hosted by NIA Region III led by OIC Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Sector and concurrent Regional Manager, Engr. Josephine B. Salazar.
This is an initiative, born out of a Memorandum of Agreement signed in October 2023, which aims to meet the increasing need for more flexible and sustainable water resource management. The agencies hope to develop joint guidelines that would ensure that water allocated for irrigation can also be used for other purposes without reducing the resources available to support local farmers.
The workshop brought together esteemed discussants including OIC-Executive Director of NWRB, Atty. Ricky A. Arzadon CESO IV,Manager of the Administrative Department and Concurrent Acting Manager of NIA Legal Services Atty. Ailyne C. Agtuca-Selda,OIC-Deputy Executive Director of NWRB Atty. Geraldine D.C. Ramos, and Engr. Mariane Yumul from NWRB Policy & Program Division who have shared their expertise on this critical initiative.
In the workshop, NIA and NWRB officials discuss in-depth how to create efficient procedures for repurposing water rights to ensure that current and future needs for water usage are met. The ultimate goal is to establish a set of detailed rules that will provide a balanced and responsible framework for water management across the country.
The event was concluded with closing remarks coming from NIA Senior Deputy Administrator Engr. Robert C. Suguitan, who appreciated the dedication and collaboration of involved agencies.
This interagency collaboration has very much shown the spirit of #bayaNIAn sa #BagongPilipinas to take further ways forward toward making the country's systems in water resource management more sustainable.