In line with its mandate of sustainable management of soil and water resources for agriculture, the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM), through the Water Resources Management Division (WRMD) convened various agencies for the conduct of the Stakeholders’ Consultation on the National Small Scale Irrigation Project (SSIP) Master Plan 2023-2030. The activity was held in a hybrid format at the BSWM Lopez Convention Hall and via Zoom Online, 04 September 2024.

The stakeholders gathered both onsite and online to provide comments and recommendations on the draft Master Plan. This Consultation graced the DA-BSWM with the presence of the DA Undersecretary for Operations and Agri-Fisheries Mechanization Engr. Roger V. Navarro.

This Consultation commenced with the Welcome Remarks from the BSWM Assistant Director Denise A. Solano where she acknowledged and thanked all the participants for showing up, manifesting their commitment to this undertaking. Following this, she emphasized the importance of this undertaking. “This Consultation is an opportunity for us to ensure that our approach addresses the challenges faced by our stakeholders across the different sectors,” Assistant Director Solano stressed in her Message.

As Inspirational as she always is, BSWM Director Gina Parde-Nilo then delivered her Message to inspire the participants. In her Message, Director Nilo underscored the vital role of the SSIP implementation in increasing the country’s agricultural production. Director Nilo also specified how we remain true to the statement that “Soil and Water: Source of Life,” furthering that this is being supported by the administration through the provision of sufficient funds for us to be able to do our job. She also highlighted the participants’ commitment to attaining the goal. “Itong Consultation na ito, I would say, is a very significant time because nasubok ang ating commitment. And here we are, in the midst of the typhoon, etc., nandito po tayo sama-sama onsite and online,” she uttered. Closing her Message, Director Nilo powerfully inspired the participants through the statement, “Sama-sama po tayo sa mga adhikain ng pamahalaan. Sama-sama po tayo sa paggawa. At maniwala po tayo, may Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas. To God be all the glory.”

As one of the highlights of the Consultation, DA Undersecretary for Operations and Agri-Fisheries Mechanization Engr. Roger V. Navarro delivered his Message to the participating stakeholders. He acknowledged the importance of the activity as this is a step towards the development of the Master Plan which will then play a crucial role in the operations. The Undersecretary then said his hopes that the forum will be able to address future challenges. During his Message, the Undersecretary also shared a motivation to the stakeholders on how we should be united towards achieving our goals. “We need to complement as one family. If we are not united because we are fragmented, then we are divided and we will fall. We need to unite ourselves. We need to complement and we need to move forward as one to be successful,” the Undersecretary remarked. 

After the Messages from these Officials, WRMD Officer in Charge Engr. Diosdado M. Manalus shared with the participants the Rationale & Overview of the Workshop, specifying that the Master Plan has four (4) components: 1) Infrastructure Development, 2) Watershed Management, 3) Research and Development, and 4) Extension Support, Education, and Training Services (ESETS). These components were then discussed during the Workshop by Engr. Alberto De Guzman of the BSWM WRMD, Engr. Bony Dela Cruz of the BSWM Soil Conservation and Management Division, Engr. Renz Kriztian Briol of the BSWM Soil and Water Resources Research Division, and Ms. Maureen Malabanan of the BSWM WRMD, respectively. During the earlier part of the Workshop, Engr. Patrick Benson Espanto of the BSWM WRMD presented the Overview of the National SSIP Master Plan 2023-2030.

This Stakeholders’ Consultation was successfully conducted with the presence and participation of the DA-Office of the Undersecretary for Operations and Agri-Fisheries Mechanization; DA-Office of the Assistant Secretary for Operations; DA Planning and Monitoring Service; DA-Field Operations Service-Field Programs Operational Planning Division; DA-National Rice Program; DA-National High Value Crops Development Program; DA-National Corn Program; DA-National Organic Agriculture Program; DA-Regional Field Offices (RFOs); National Irrigation Administration; Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering; Bureau of Agricultural Research; Agricultural Training Institute; Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries; Philippine Rice Research Institute; Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau; Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development; Department of Interior and Local Government – Bureau of Local Government Supervision; and National Water Resources Board.

(Ara Krizele Alcoriza, Info)

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