by: JOSHUA C. NAYLES, CDS II
Cooperative Development Authority Region V Extension Office (CDA R5) once again showed its full support to National Irrigation Administration Region V (NIA Region V) thru reinforcing its commitment to empower Irrigators Association (IAs), for them to significantly contribute to the local food security as they undergo the transition of becoming registered agricultural cooperatives under the authority.
A ceremonial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) together with 16 National Government Agencies (NGAs) and attended by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) was held on January 24, 2024 at NIA Regional Office compound, Naga City. The primary goal of the activity is to form an alliance and mutual understanding on the different intervening functions of involved stakeholders, with a common aim of ensuring food security and significantly improving the well-being of local farmers through the different initiatives each of the NGAs commit to deliver to the sector.
The assembly was graced by the head of CDA R5, Acting Regional Director Atty. Emilio D. Escueta III, showed his ultimate support to this significant event and provided his valuable insights into the authority’s initiatives to the agriculture sector, highlighting the crucial role of the authority in further development of the existing IAs through organizational development aligned with the cooperative principles.
The event was then followed by the presentation of various interventions each of the attending NGAs can offer to the sector. Acting Assistant Regional Director, Engr. Zaldy G. Bermejo showcased the different programs and assistance the authority is implementing for the agriculture sector. He emphasized the marching order under the Presidential Directive No. PBBM- 2023-355, directing the authority to collaborate with NIA in identifying resources and strategies needed to develop more agricultural cooperatives and enhance the management skills through provision of handholding and various technical assistance to IAs that are yet to be cooperatives. The CDA- NIA partnership aims to promote the local circular economy through empowering IAs and farmer cooperatives for them to significantly contribute to the regional food security convergence program.
Download article here: CDA R5 commits to continually support NIA, uplifting socio-economic well-being of IAs thru Regional Convergence
