TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Following the announced schedule of the system cutoff under the Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS) starting May 1 until June 30, 2024, the National Irrigation Administration-Kalinga Irrigation Management Office (NIA-KIMO) has urged farmers affected by the cutoff to plant their paddy on the second week of February this year or earlier.
According to Rey Gunnawa from the NIA-KIMO, there is a necessity for the implementation of the cutoff to make way for the repair and maintenance of the irrigation system, which has existed for almost 50 years since its construction.
NIA-KIMO reported that the repair and maintenance will focus on the main canal and other parts that were affected by typhoons and other calamities the previous year. Around PhP65 million was allocated for said purpose.
In order to lessen the impact of the effects of the dry season and the system cutoff, Gunnawa reiterated, “We advise iti last kuma nga panagmula ket second week of February or earlier.”
He added that the farmers should plant twice a year and practice the fallow system, or the resting of the soil or field from cultivation for a certain period.
In relation to the system cut-off, NIA-KIMO has started posting tarpaulins for information dissemination. The water delivery will resume during the wet season on July 1 of this year. By Ian Jefrey Addatu
