The abilities and right attitude of the driver/operator affect how efficiently they accomplish their jobs and responsibilities. On March 30, 2022, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Caraga (NIA-Caraga) held a Capability Training for Drivers/Operators and other Equipment Personnel at the Pavillion in Butuan City to ensure that they have the necessary skills in carrying out their roles and functions, as well as a positive attitude and commitment to their job and loyalty to the agency.

The 1st batch orientation, attended by 35 participants, focuses on NIA Policies and Guidelines RA 6713-Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and the Review of RA 4136-Land Transportation and Traffic Code, presented by Mr. Lino M. España, Jr., MPA, OIC Chief of the Operations Division—Department of Transportation—Land Transportation Office Caraga (DOTr-LTO Caraga).

June Nathaniel S. Plaza, NIA Caraga Regional Manager, stated in his message that driver orientation is critical to their profession since they transport passengers to their destinations and their safety is in their hands. He added that it is important that drivers learn road courtesy, markings and other important disciplines in driving.

DOTr-LTO Caraga OIC-Regional Director, PCol. Joel R. Consulata, MSCD informed the participants that renewal of a license is an easy process if we follow the requirements and instructions. He stated that you only pay what is stated on the official receipt. The agency is trying to eradicate fixers in processing the driver’s license; he quoted that "fixers will not be eliminated if the clients/customers still patronize their assistance."

#TuloyAngDaloyNIA
#NIACaraga

**For questions and/or clarifications, you may contact:

June Nathaniel S. Plaza, Acting Regional Manager
Atty. Reggie T. Mag-usara, Attorney IV
Jane B. Huqueriza, PRO

Office/Region: NIA Caraga Region
E-mail: r13@nia.gov.ph
Contact Information: (085) 815-2602

March 28, 2022- The National Irrigation Administration -Caraga Region held the 2022 National Women's Month Celebration Culmination Program through the initiative of Acting Regional Manager June Nathaniel S. Plaza with the theme "We Make Change Work for Women," Agenda ng Kababaihan tungo sa kaunlaran.

This year, the NIA Caraga honors women's important roles in the workplace by providing them with a variety of complimentary treatments, including hair spas, foot spas, body massages, foot reflexology, manicures, and pedicures. These services allow individuals to unwind and gain confidence in order to confront the obstacles of everyday life.

#TuloyAngDaloyNIA
#NIACaraga

**For questions and/or clarifications, you may contact:

June Nathaniel S. Plaza, Acting Regional Manager
Atty. Reggie T. Mag-usara, Attorney IV
Jane B. Huqueriza, PRO

Office/Region: NIA Caraga Region
E-mail: r13@nia.gov.ph
Contact Information: (085) 815-2602

Many of our watersheds today are invariably degraded, which has a significant impact on irrigation facilities. Andanan Watershed was one of the 163 identified critical watersheds that support the National Irrigation System (NIS).

To rehabilitate the watersheds, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Agusan del Sur Irrigation Management Office (ADS-IMO) launched a central tree nursery, seedling distribution, and ceremonial tree planting as part of the initial phase of the Rehabilitation and Protection of Water Resource Supporting Irrigation Systems (R & P WRSIS) program for the Andanan River Irrigation System (RIS) held on February 24, 2022 at Andanan Dam, Brgy. Sta. Irene, Bayugan City.

The R&P WRSIS program facilitated the need to establish and delineate NIA's respective responsibilities over watersheds and reservations for the purposes of effective management and development of programs and projects intended to ensure the long-term viability of irrigation systems. It also aims to rehabilitate the Andanan Watershed over the next five (5) years by implementing management interventions within the 1014-hectare NIA area of management, one of which is the use of planting materials, as this will be critical in achieving total watershed rehabilitation.

The program is envisaged to improve vegetative cover and construct structural support mechanisms towards the sustainable operation of NIS, thus minimizing the soil erosion rate deposited on the reservoir, irrigation facilities, and river channel of the irrigation water source and sustaining the efficiency and serviceability of the irrigation system.

During the event, Acting Regional Manager June Nathaniel S. Plaza assured everyone that they will look into the problem and take steps to help, including the launching of the tree nursery and tree planting, in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). He also stated that this endeavour will be successful if all stakeholders and program beneficiaries will fully cooperate.

The said activity was participated by Brgy. Local Government Units (BLGUs), Irrigators’ Associations (IAs), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), City Environment and Natural Resources Office-Bayugan (CENRO), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), City Health Office (CHO),Bayugan Grains City Eagles Club, NIA Central Office, NIA Regional Office, and NIA IMO-ADS headed by Engr. Peter E. Pablo, Acting Division Manager of NIA ADS-IMO with his Acting Assistant Division Manager, Engr. Paul Urbiztondo, and other stakeholders.

#TuloyAngDaloyNIA
#NIACaraga

**For questions and/or clarifications, you may contact:

June Nathaniel S. Plaza, Acting Regional Manager
Atty. Reggie T. Mag-usara, Attorney IV
Jane B. Huqueriza, PRO

Office/Region: NIA Caraga Region
E-mail: r13@nia.gov.ph
Contact Information: (085) 815-2602

NIA Caraga has a total of 10 National Irrigation Systems and 252 Communal Irrigation Systems, and operating and maintaining these systems will necessitate funds from our respective governments. In its efforts to promote food security and rice sufficiency, as well as to increase farmers' income, the agency was challenged with several issues along the way of its implementation and maintenance.

In recent months, the region has faced with rampant premature land conversion; agricultural lands were converted to residential/commercial use that never undergone consent of the office. Based on the inventory, a total of 112 hectares were identified by the office that within the irrigable area that are prematurely converted.

To address the issue, the Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands (ASDI) Irrigation Management Office (IMO) held a Planning and Formulation of Policies on Land Conversion on February 15, 2022 at the Watergate Hotel in Butuan City in coordination with the regional office.

During the activity, Atty. Reggie T. Mag-usara, Legal Counsel of NIA Caraga, presented an overview and findings of the office's preliminary investigation. He also emphasized the importance of planning in order to come up with a better solution.

Representatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Local Government of Butuan City, Barangay Captains, and Irrigators' Associations took part in the activity.

#TuloyAngDaloyNIA
#NIACaraga

**For questions and/or clarifications, you may contact:

June Nathaniel S. Plaza, Acting Regional Manager
Jane B. Huqueriza, PRO

Office/Region: NIA Caraga Region
E-mail: r13@nia.gov.ph
Contact Information: (085) 815-2602