ILOILO City — Some 1,500 farmers from 49 Irrigators’ Associations (IAs) across Western Visayas will be temporarily employed next month to clear irrigation canals and waterways as government agencies intensify preparations against the looming threat of drought and water shortages.
The workers, tapped under the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, will undertake manual clearing of vegetation, silt, and debris along irrigation canals and waterways from June 1 to June 30, 2026.
The project comes amid growing concerns over the impact of prolonged extreme heat and the possible onset of El Niño, which authorities warned could affect agricultural productivity and water supply in the region.
DOLE allocated P8.895 million for the program, which also includes one-year GSIS Group Personal Accident Insurance (GPAI) coverage and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for beneficiaries. The workers will receive the region’s minimum daily wage during the one-month employment period.
The initiative was formalized through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed Monday between DOLE Regional Office 6 and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region 6 at the DOLE regional office conference room in Iloilo City.
DOLE-6 director Atty. Sixto Rodriguez said the partnership highlights the importance of inter-agency collaboration in implementing government programs and identifying sectors needing assistance.
“Working together with other government agencies widens the scope of services and helps us identify beneficiaries that need to be attended to, and with this agreement, the farmers,” Rodriguez said.
For his part, NIA-6 manager Engr. Jonel Borres welcomed the partnership, saying the assistance would greatly benefit farmers struggling with the effects of dry conditions.
“Napakahalaga po sa mga farmers ang assistance na ito,” Borres said. “We are doing all we can to find partners to help our farmers amidst the threat of drought and this collaboration is in line with NIA mandate to secure water for agricultural sustainability and ensure food security.”
The MOA signing was witnessed by DOLE-6 assistant regional director Melissa Navarra, NIA-6 acting Engineering and Operations Division manager Engr. Rebecca Grana, as well as heads of DOLE field offices and NIA personnel./PN
