Israel technical support sought! SHORT-COURSE FOR GOVS, MAYORS, LGU ON WATER MANAGEMENT, CONSERVATION

The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) will formally ask the Israel Government through its Embassy in Manila for support for its Water Supply Conservation and Management Program by conducting an on-line course for Mindanao Governors, Mayors and other local Government Officials.

The proposed Short-Course which will be conducted on-line will also include orientation on the modern Solar-Powered Irrigation Technology and the Fertigation System, a fertilization method which mixes fertilizer with irrigation water.

I believe that this Short-Course is critical in opening the minds of local executives to the importance of managing and conserving run-off water during the rainy season through the establishment of catchment basins, small impounding dikes and dams.

Here is the letter MinDA will send to the Dept. of Foreign Affairs to be transmitted to Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines, Rafael Harpaz:

“Dear Amb Harpaz,

One of the major programs of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) in Mindanao is the Mindanao Water Supply Program which seeks to enhance awareness on the importance of water for agriculture and human consumption.

In pursuit of this advocacy, MinDA is engaging Local Government Units by introducing the concept of Water Management and Conservation, which involves the establishment of small dams and water catchments, and the non-conventional systems of irrigation like the Solar-Powered irrigation System and others.

Knowing of the advancements of Israel in these fields, MinDA would like to request for technical support from the Israeli Agriculture Agency, Mashav, through you for the conduct of a Short Course on Water Management and Conservation, Solar Powered Irrigation and Fertigation, for local chief executives of Mindanao.

The Short-Course could be conducted virtually via ZOOM or Google Meet and the participants would include Governors, Mayors and Village Chiefs, along with the heads of their planning and agriculture office.

I believe the Short Course would broaden the understanding of our local officials on the importance of Water Conservation and Irrigation for Agriculture and human health and well-being.

With the allocation by the national government of bigger development funds for local government units, I believe that these programs could be very well implemented by the LGUs with your government’s technical support.

I hope this request would merit a positive response from your end.

Thank you very much.

Sec. Emmanuel F. Piñol, PhD

Chairman

Mindanao Development Authority”

#GovernanceIsCommonSense!

#KungGustoMaramingParaan!

(Downloaded photos show the small dams and water catchments in Israel which store water used in their farms in the desert. Israel is the top agricultural producer in the Middle East.)