Immediately after the instruction of Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. to conduct a thorough assessment of damages to the agricultural sector brought about by the magnitude 6.8 earthquake in the affected regions, NIA Acting Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen called the NIA Regional Managers to conduct an inventory of the affected irrigation infrastructures and NIA offices. The assessment also aims to secure the safety of NIA employees and the farmer-beneficiaries.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported that a magnitude 6.8 earthquake shook Davao Occidental yesterday, November 17, 2023 at 4:14 PM. The epicenter of the quake was traced at 05.37° North, 125.15° East – 030 kilometers South 81° West of Sarangani, Davao Occidental. It was felt at varying intensities in several areas in Mindanao.
At present, reports on the actual assessment and inventory activities are being undertaken in the NIA Field Offices. As the lead agency mandated to develop all possible sources of water for irrigation, NIA continues to do its best to ensure unhampered delivery of irrigation service while securing the safety of its stakeholders.
