The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in collaboration with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), conducted a Capability Building for the Establishment and Development of Irrigation Service Cooperatives (ISCs) for Institutional Development Program (IDP) Implementers Batch 4 participated by 40 IDP implementers from Central Office, Region 3, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS), Upper Pampanga Integrated Irrigation Systems (UPRIIS) held August 13-15, 2024, at NIA Regional Office VIII, Marasbaras, Tacloban City.
This 3-day training aims to provide essential knowledge and information on fundamentals and governance or management of cooperatives, ensuring compliance to the governing laws, as well as other rules and regulations issued by NIA and the CDA. The activity will serve as a venue for both NIA and CDA to establish comprehensive plans that ensure smooth progress in the establishment and development of ISCs/IA Cooperatives.
One of the highlights of this training was their visit to the 1st Cooperative in NIA Region VIII, under the Biliran-Leyte del Norte-Leyte del Sur IMO, the Lacasna-Kasanag-Kasammava-SJSB-Marlis-Osdi (LAKKASMO) Irrigators Federation Agriculture Cooperative (FICo) in Ormoc City. LAKKASMO FICo President Victor M. Lugas shared their best practices and management in federating their IAs. Additionally, the participants paid courtesy call to Hon. Rey Evangelista, the Sangguniang Panglungsod Member – Committee on Agriculture.
This in line with the 7 Point Strategic Policy Agenda - Irrigators Association Capacity Building of NIA Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen. Capacitating and organizing all IAs into a cooperative at the municipal level in preparation for the proposed consolidated farm production system development, to improve the quality of life for Filipino farmers.
