Irrigation water cut-off will be implemented in all of the four National Irrigation Systems (NIS) in the region after this dry cropping season.
According to Engr. Benito Espique, Jr. NIA-CAR regional manager, irrigation cut-off at the NISs in CAR will facilitate the implementation of the programmed projects for the repair, restoration and improvement activities to address the wear and tear along the facilities of the irrigation systems to enhance water delivery.
Espique said that the NIA will also take advantage of the dry season to implement irrigation projects within the irrigation systems.
Most of the repair and improvement to be implemented along the national irrigation systems are canalization works such as lining of main and lateral canals, protection works and concreting of service roads.
The Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS), the largest irrigation system in the region, with service areas in Kalinga and Isabela will have its cut-off on April 17, 2022 to June 17, 2022; and, the West Apayao Abulug Irrigation System (WAAIS), with areas in Apayao and Cagayan, has its cut off set on April 1, 2022 to April 30, 2022. Meanwhile, the Hapid Irrigation System in Lamut, Ifugao will have its irrigation break on June 1, 2022 to July 31, 2022, and the Abra River Irrigation System’s cut off is scheduled on May 30, 2022 to June 30, 2022.
National Irrigation Systems are those large irrigation systems usually with service areas of more than 1,000 hectares.
These schedules were scheduled with the Irrigators’ Associations at the start of the cropping season when the cropping calendars for irrigation systems were set.