The Cooperative Development Authority Regional Office 4A (CDA 4A) joined the National Irrigation Administration Region IV-A CALABARZON (NIA IV-A) Regional Stakeholders’ Forum with the theme “Kabuhayan ng Magsasaka ay Iangat, NIA at Iba’t-Ibang Ahensya ay Kabalikat” on May 18, 2023, at the Cultural Center, Capitol Site, Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), an agency that provides irrigation and serves as a capacity builder for farmers, is one of the Authority’s partner agencies in the growth of the cooperatives, especially in the agriculture cluster. The forum’s objective is to strengthen partnerships with other national government agencies and Local Government Units (LGUs) for the implementation of the programs and strategies and to address the opportunities and challenges through collaboration and complementation.

This activity was attended and participated by two hundred and fifty (250) farmers-irrigators from the CALABARZON as well as the District Representatives from Laguna, Provincial Governors of CALABARZON, Municipal Mayors, and NIA officials.

An inspirational message was delivered by Engr. Robert C. Suguitan, representative of Engr. Eddie G. Guillen, the NIA Administrator. Programs and campaigns for the cooperative sector, as well as those of the other Partner Government Agencies such as Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Technical Education And Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (Philmech), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), were presented to the participants during the afternoon session. Afterward, an open forum was done to address the issues and concerns of the Irrigators Association with the guidance of the different concerned agencies and partners.

To conclude the activity, a Pledge of Commitment was signed among the NIA officials, LGUs, other Government Agencies, and the Irrigators Association in CALABARZON to bolster their collaboration on the implementation of current and future projects to attain the development of our farmers’ livelihood. The program ended with the Closing Remarks given by the EOD Manager of NIA Engr. Erwin M. Lucela.