Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, who came in behalf Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr., extoled the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) for instigating the Regional Congress for Small Water Impounding System Association (SWISA) held at Punta Villa Resort in Arevalo, Iloilo City from August 16-18, 2012.
The congress organized by the BSWM, a bureau from Department of Agriculture, aims to tackle issues and concerns with regard to irrigation and agricultural production.
He shared that the provincial government extends its support by allotting substantial budget for irrigation projects all over the province.
Banias said the Governor prioritizing agriculture programs and projects is the reason why last year the province became the third top rice producing province in the country.
BSWM executive director Dr. Silvino Tejada officially opened the congress Aug. 16 and spoke the gathering is very important since its focus is mainly on ensuring food security in this part of the country.
He added, there is a need to transform rain fed farms into irrigated lands to ensure bountiful rice production.
Municipal agriculture officers and provincial agriculture officers of the six provinces in Western Visayas were also present at the regional SWISA congress.
The three-day activity features lectures and workshops on the improvement and sustainability of small water impounding systems.
