NIA Region XI participants during the Capacity Building Training Cluster 3–2026, held on February 16–20, 2026 in General Santos City.
By: Desiree A. Demafeliz, PRA Regional Office XI - February 23, 2026
In its continued commitment to digital transformation and data-driven governance, the National Irrigation Administration Region XI (NIA XI) successfully attended a five-day eFGIS and WebFGIS Portal Capacity Building Training on February 16–20, 2026 in General Santos City.
The training, facilitated by the NIA Information and Education Division (IEC) Central Office in partnership with PASCO and RASA Surveying, brought together participants from various NIA regions to enhance their technical competencies in Geographic Information System (GIS) operations and portal management.
Active engagement during interactive sessions.
The activity aimed to strengthen participants’ expertise in utilizing, administering, and maintaining the eFGIS and WebFGIS platforms to support efficient data sharing, monitoring, reporting, and decision-making processes within the agency.
Throughout the training, participants underwent comprehensive discussions and hands-on workshops on database management, mapping, and web integration. Key topics included data uploading, layer management, spatial visualization, report generation, and system navigation.
Actual case scenarios and practical exercises were conducted to simulate real-world applications in irrigation planning, monitoring, and reporting. Technical issues encountered during the sessions were addressed through live troubleshooting and collaborative problem-solving, further enhancing participants’ confidence in system use.
Hands on activity on WebFGIS.
The training also emphasized the importance of GIS tools in environmental scanning, hazard mapping, and climate-related analysis, enabling more informed and responsive planning across irrigation systems.
Participants were trained on generating various operational reports, including data on irrigation facilities, farmland records, cropping calendars, and inventory systems. Improved workflows in data querying, filtering, and dashboard visualization were also introduced to ensure accurate and reliable information management.
The integration of these tools is expected to significantly improve coordination among provincial and regional offices, promote standardized data processes, and enhance overall system efficiency.
Among the key insights gathered during the training were the importance of continuous learning, regular system updates, and sustained user support mechanisms. The activity highlighted that ongoing capacity-building initiatives are essential to fully maximize the capabilities of the WebFGIS Portal.
Acting EOD Manager Engr. Al Ted D. Abbot during the Open Discussion of the WebFGIS.
The activity was attended by delegates from the Operations and Maintenance Units of various Irrigation Management Offices (IMOs), led by EOD Acting Manager Engr. Al Ted D. Abbot and Regional Operations and Maintenance Section (O&M) Head Engr. Benjie B. Nierre.
O&M Head Engr. Nierre, in a separate interview, expressed, “Attending this training is important to us because it equips us with the knowledge and skills to effectively use the Web FGIS Portal. It enhances our ability to accurately collect, manage, and analyze farmland information, which is essential for planning, monitoring, and decision-making. More importantly, this training allows us to share and appreciate the value of our field experiences by contributing meaningful inputs in refining and finalizing the portal."
Through this initiative, NIA XI reinforces its commitment to innovation and operational excellence by equipping its workforce with the necessary tools and skills to effectively utilize GIS-based technologies in irrigation management.
Participants from various NIA regions engage in hands-on exercises during the five-day eFGIS and WebFGIS Portal training in General Santos City, strengthening their skills in GIS mapping, data management, and digital reporting.
For questions and/or clarifications, you may contact:
r11@nia.gov.ph (google)