CABANATUAN CITY – Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (UPRIIS) department manager Engr. Rosalinda B. Bote on Friday lauded her agency’s officials as they reaped awards during the National Irrigation Administration’s anniversary celebration on Thursday.
Bote said the awards, conferred by NIA administrator Engr. Eduardo G. Guillen and deputy administrator for administrative and finance Ralph Lauren Du at the agency’s central office in Diliman, Quezon City were a result of their office’s “collective commitment and efforts of its managers and staff for the year 2022.”
The awards passed evaluation by the NIA Program on Awards and Incentive for Service Excellence (PRAISE) Committee.
UPRIIS Engineering and Operations Division Manager Engr. Vivencia C. Dela Cruz bagged the Field Office Best Division Manager of the Year on Core Function.
Gloria Loren R. Hipolito, chief of Institutional Development Section, won Field Office Best Employee of the Year on Core Functions; Maria Isobel F. Padolina, acting administrative and Finance Division Manager, Field Office Best Employee of the Year on Support Function; Atty. June J. Barrioga, Attorney IV of UPRIIS Legal Services, as Rookie of the Year.
The UPRIIS Division II under the stewardship of Engr. Alvin S. Manuel Sr., was named Best Integrated Irrigation Systems Office-Division Office of the Year.
The highest award reaped was Best Integrated Irrigation Systems Office of the Year which UPRIIS won for the fourth time.
“It’s because of the support of the three staff divisions – engineering and operations, administrative and finance, and dam and reservoir – as well as the six division offices – I, II, III, IV, V, and interim division VI under the stewardship of their respective division managers,” Bote stressed.
The farmers’ group Guimba-Licab Irrigators Association (IA) Inc. under UPRIIS Division V was also awarded as one of the Top Five Outstanding Irrigators Association for the National Irrigation System category, earning plaque, P50,000 cash incentive, and an IA Model Farm reward amounting to P1,300,000. The IA is led by presiden Alvin G. Labiano, board of trustees chairman Ferdinand G. Letusquen, treasurer Francisco C. Rivera, and auditor Bryan C. Cabiao.
Also given recognition for their years of public service in the agency were Engr. Rogelio C. Macatula, UPRIIS Division V acting manager with 45 years; Engr. Rosalinda B. Bote, UPRIIS department manager, with 41 years; and Engr. Felix L. Teano, Jr., UPRIIS Division I manager, with 32 years
UPRIIS’ Ms. EncantaNIA (portmanteau of encantadia with NIA) bet Aira Celine B. Yango bagged the Best in Long Gown Award and landed among the Top 8 Finalists in the Search for Ms. EncantaNIA 2023.
“The UPRIIS top officials extend their heartfelt gratitude and share the pride with the whole UPRIIS Family,” said the information office.
