PRESS RELEASE May 7, 2020 NIA Regional Office 8 In ensuring food security in the region, the farmers continued their farming activities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In Eastern Visayas, 44, 904 hectares were irrigated for CY 2020 first cropping operation. As of May 5, 2020, a total of 39,969 hectares or 90% harvested area out of 44,177 hectares planted area. The Bito River Irrigation System (RIS), covering two (2) municipalities—Abuyog, Leyte and Javier Leyte, ensured its initial water delivery on April 13, 2020. Also, water delivery of Balire North, Balire South, Ibawon, and Gibuga RIS, covering three (3) municipalities— Mac Arthur, Leyte, Mayorga, Leyte, and Dulag, Leyte, was on April 27, 2020. Land soaking and preparation is on-going on areas covered by these systems. For the information and guidance of all farmer beneficiaries, schedule of initial water delivery for 2nd cropping operation are as follow: NATIONAL IRRIGATION SYSTEMS (NIS) RIVER IRRIGATION MUNICIPALITIES DATE OF INITIAL WATER SYSTEM COVERED DELIVERY Ormoc City Bao May 11, 2020 Kananga, Leyte Alang-alang, Leyte Mainit June 1, 2020 San Miguel, Leyte Pongso Barugo, Leyte May 11, 2020 Sta. Fe, Leyte Binahaan North Alang-alang, Leyte June 1, 2020 Pastrana, Leyte Pastrana, Leyte Binahaan South Dagami, Leyte June 1, 2020 Palo, Leyte Tabontabon, Leyte Lower Binahaan Dagami, Leyte June 1, 2020 Tanauan, Leyte Sta. Fe, Leyte Tibak May 16, 2020 Palo, Leyte Hindang, Leyte Hindang-Hilongos June 15, 2020 Hilongos, Leyte Hinunangan, Southern Das-ay May 10, 2020 Leyte Burauen, Leyte Daguitan June 1, 2020 Julita, Leyte 1 | P a g e Dulag, Leyte Tabontabon, Leyte Guinarona June 1, 2020 Dagami, Leyte Burauen, Leyte Marabong Julita, Leyte June 1, 2020 Tabontabon, Leyte Basey Basey, Samar May 15, 2020 COMMUNAL IRRIGATION SYSTEMS (CIS) DATE OF INITIAL WATER PROVINCE DELIVERY Northern Leyte April 25-June 15, 2020 Biliran May 15-June 15, 2020 Southern Leyte May 10-June 10, 2020 Eastern Samar May 20-June 1, 2020 Western Samar May 20-June 1, 2020 Northern Samar May 16, 2020 For inquiry, contact us at (053) 323-9195 or email at [email protected] or message us through our Official Facebook Page at National Irrigation Administration Region VIII. By NIA 8 Management 2 | P a g e .