Iloilo City - while the rest of the world celebrates Valentine’s Day on February 14, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) was likewise forging a milestone in the agency’s long history. The NIA Board of Directors, which functions as the policymaking body of the country’s irrigation development agency, conducted its 1000th regular meeting in Iloilo City. The board is chaired by no less than the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. who led the meeting at the iconic Iloilo Convention Center in Mandurriao District. Also present during this event were NIA Administrator Engineer Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen who is the Vice Chairperson of the Board and DA Undersecretary for Operations Engineer Roger V. Navarro who acts as Alternate Chairperson. Other members include National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan who was represented by Assistant Secretary Rhoderick M. Planta, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan and Undersecretary Maria Catalina E. Cabral who were represented by Project Manager IV Abdulfatak M. Pandapatan, National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) President Fernando Martin Y. Roxas represented by Vice President Attorney Melchor P. Ridulme, and Private Sector Representative (PSR) Director Efren S. Bartolome of the Rice and Corn Industry. This milestone activity in Iloilo City was together facilitated by the Office of Corporate Board Secretary under the able leadership of Atty. Allan Paul S. Saranggaya and the NIA Regional Office VI and NIA Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II Project Management Office (PMO) led by Acting Regional Manager and Concurrent Project Manager Engineer Jonel B. Borres. During the same event, Engineer Guillen took his oath before Secretary Laurel as full-fledged Administrator of NIA. Prior to the meeting, the members of the Board likewise conducted an aerial and onsite inspection of the ongoing implementation of the JRMP II in Calinog town, Iloilo province. “The Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Phase (Stage) II serves as testament of NIA’s commitment to advancing agricultural innovation and enhancing rural livelihoods” highlighted Secretary Laurel during his opening message. The NIA Board of Directors was instrumental in the approval of the restructuring request of JRMP II in 2023 which ensured that the implementation of the project will remain unhampered. As of March 2024, the overall physical accomplishment of the JRMP II was at 74.31%. /JP Steve Cordero