Twenty-one (21) government entities, including the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), state university, and local government units (LGUs), convened for the signing of memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the implementation of the Farmers Assistance for Recovery and Modernization (FARM) Project on February 21, 2024 at Felipina Hall, NEDA Regional Office VIII, Palo, Leyte.

This is in support to the agenda of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. to lower the price of rice in the country, authored by the House Speaker and 1st District of Leyte Representative, Martin Romualdez.

In line with the Agency's thrust for innovation and modernization, the Acting Regional Manager Engr. Jaime C. De Jesus, in behalf of the NIA top management, turnover the twenty (20) units of motorcycle to three (3) Irrigation Management Offices to closely monitor and fast track implementation of projects, especially those located in remote areas.

Likewise, these will be used to facilitate the canvassing and procurement processes.

The Northern Samar Irrigation Management Office (NSIMO) and the Irrigators Associations in Northern Samar have successfully established a pivotal partnership with the National Food Authority (NFA). The collaboration was officially sealed during the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Marketing Agreement Signing, a momentous event held on January 19, 2024, at Ephine’s Foodhauz in Brgy. Macagtas, Northern Samar.

The Northern Samar Irrigation Management Office spearheaded the turnover of the Hibatwan Irrigators Association Model Farm on January 24, 2023 held at Palapag Gymnasium, Palapag, Northern Samar.

The IA Model Farm project was funded under Irrigation Management Transfer Support Services (IMTSS) and was granted to the Hibatwan Farmers Irrigators Association as an appreciation for being hailed as an Outstanding Irrigators Association under CARP category in the Regional Level and was nominated to the National Level.

After a series of workshops for the formulation of the Regional Irrigation Master Plan (RIMP), the National Irrigation Administration Region 8 attended the Cluster Workshop on the Finalization of the RIMP for 2023-2030 at NIA Regional Office VI, Iloilo City, on January 26, 2024.

Members of the RIMP Formulation Technical Working Group and Support Staff, led by the Acting Regional Manager Engr. Jaime C. Jesus presented the draft RIMP to the review panel consisting of personnel from the Central Office headed by Reynaldo Nilo, Acting Department Manager of the Corporate Planning Services.

To improve water and irrigation delivery in the Region, the NIA Region 8 conducted canal clearing operation in 3 Irrigation Systems in the Provinces of Leyte, Samar and Northern Samar with the use of the newly acquired heavy equipment to aid in the desilting works and operations of the agency.

The Turnover and Blessing of the 8 Newly Acquired Crawler Hydraulic Excavators was conducted last January 9, 2024, at Binahaan-Tibak Satellite Office, Tanauan, Leyte.

The provision of these high-quality excavators is an initiative of the NIA Administrator Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen to attain the agency's commitment to improve the operation and maintenance of the irrigation projects in the country.

These 8 excavators will be distributed to the different Irrigation Management Offices to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of irrigation services in the Region.

As we welcome the new year, we set new goals and aspirations to achieve. NIA Region VIII takes on the challenge to Gear Up for 2024.

The National Irrigation Administration Region VIII joins in the simultaneous "NIA Ushering 2024" with the theme #NIAGearUp.

Spearheaded by the Acting Regional Manager Jaime C. De Jesus, NIA Region VIII signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission Tacloban Extension Office, led by Atty. Desiree P. Cuenco, last January 5, 2024.

This collaboration aims to provide regular consultation and dialogues with the intended beneficiaries, the different Irrigator’s Association and to also carry out the SEC-Communication, Advocacy and Network (SEC-CAN) Project that highlights the fundamentals of investing, financial literacy, investor protection and investment scam.