MAHAYAG, Zamboanga del Sur (PIA) - The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) gathered members of the Lampisic Irrigators Association (LIA) to address pressing concerns regarding irrigation and farming activities in a meeting held in Barangay Guripan, this town. 

Among the primary issues discussed was the siltation of the river source in Guripan, intensifying challenges for farmers, particularly during the ongoing El Niño season.

Members of the LIA voiced their distress over the diminished water flow from the river, which posed a serious threat to their agricultural livelihoods.

Elizabeth Sande, one of the farmers from Mahayag, shared her testimony, shedding light on the devastating impact of the El Niño phenomenon on her agricultural land. She recounted the anguish of witnessing her two hectares of rice fields scorched by the relentless heat.

"Ako ang usa sa naapektuhan nga nasunog ang akong duha ka ektaryang humayan. Sakit nako pamalandungon nga ang akong gasto dili ko makabawi," she lamented.

(I am one of those affected by the heat that burned my two-hectare rice field. It pains me to think that my expenses cannot be recovered.)

NIA-9 committed to deploying heavy equipment, including backhoes, dump trucks, and bulldozers, to expedite the desilting operation of the river. This initiative underscores the agency’s dedication to supporting and empowering the IAs, making sure that farming keeps going despite environmental adversities.

Sande expressed her gratitude for the timely assistance provided by NIA. With tears of relief glistening in her eyes, she said,” Dako kaayo among pasalamat nga gi-arian mi karun sa taga region sa NIA nga dako kaayo akong pasalamat gayud nga kami gitabangan sa among problema.”

(We are deeply grateful that we were visited today by the NIA representatives from the region. I am thankful that they are assisting us with our problems.)

The collaboration between the Lampisic IA and NIA offers hope to farmers in Barangay Guripan, demonstrating how unity can overcome farming challenges during tough times. (RVC/EDT/HTB/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur with reports from NIA-Zamboanga Peninsula)