Submitted by SCSP on
Written by: MCBB-PRO A
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Regional Office V, in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region V, and the Ateneo de Naga University, Department of Natural Sciences, spearheaded a 3-day Capacity Building on Integrated Watershed Management Planning and Social and Environmental Assessment for Irrigation Development held at Fr. Godofredo Alingal, S.J., Building, ADNU, on July 19-21, 2023.
During the opening program, NIA Acting Regional Manager, Engr. Roberto J. Dela Cruz said: “Over the years, the watershed has changed. NIA needs expertise from other agencies, such as DENR in terms of watershed management, to capacitate our resources. This is such a long and continuous process, and we are hoping that this convergence will help us improve our Irrigation Development.”
FOR. Grace L. Cariño, Ph.D., DENR V Assistant Regional Director for Management Services, in her message, stated that although DENR is mandated to maintain watershed management, the agency cannot do it alone, and since the watershed does not have political boundaries, she emphasized an interdisciplinary approach and shared responsibilities from all stakeholders.
Engr. Referendo D. Soriano, Ph.D., ADNU Dean of the College of Science and Engineering, was also present during the activity, together with Dr. Ma. Aurora A. Conde, Ph.D., chairperson of the ADNU Natural Sciences Department, who led the conversations on potential research and development and extension opportunities.
The said activity includes a series of sessions that cover Watershed Management, Social and Environmental Impact Assessment, and Geographic Information System (GIS) through lectures such as Watershed Characterization and Vulnerability Assessment; Integrated Watershed Management Plan; Water Quality, and; Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Also, present during the event are: Engr. Diogemma C. Rodriguez, NIA R5 EOD Manager; Engr. June Ivy Mendez, Planning Section Chief; Engr. Carol L. Rañola, CNIMO Acting Manager; Engr. Jessie D. Baynas, ACIMO Acting Manager; Engr. Mary Jane Mirabueno, THIRIS Acting Head; Engr. Joel S. Aguilar, CRIS Acting head, and other key personnel.