GUIMBA, Nueva Ecija – National Irrigation Administration (NIA) chief Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen on Monday led the groundbreaking rites for the proposed construction of a covered court worth P9-million and the blessing of the completed P31.7-million NIA-Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems Division 6 administration building in this town.

Guillen also led the ceremonial selling of 1,500 bags of Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) rice worth P29 per kilo or P290 per bag at Kadiwa sa Pangulo-NIA-UPRIIS stores in this municipality.

Assisting the NIA chief during the tri-activities were NIA aenior deputy administrator Robert C. Suguitan and UPRISS top officials—Department manager Gertrudes A. Viado, and UPRIIS Division 6 chief Jose Ariel G. Domingo.

“Binabati ko po ang pamunuan ng NIA UPRIIS Division VI sa matagumpay na konstruksyon ng administration building at groundbreaking ceremony ng covered court,” said Guillen.

“Ang mga gusaling ito ay patunay na ang NIA ay hindi lamang advocate ng farmers’ welfare kundi pati na rin ang employees’ well-being,” he added.

Once the covered court project is completed, Guillen said it is expected to serve as a venue for office activities such as irrigator association conferences, meetings, and sport festivals.

“It signifies NIA’s full support and commitment to provide modern office infrastructures and build a conducive working space, which will serve as a hub to optimize collaboration, drive motivation and increase the productivity of our employees,” stressed Guillen.

The NIA chief said the 1,500 bags of BBM rice, packed at 10 kilos each bag, were made available to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents and 4Ps beneficiaries.

They were sourced from 14 irrigators associations affiliated with NIA-UPRIIS Division 6, which had an existing rice contract farming agreement with NIA.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Steve A. Gosuico