LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) starts implementation of 202 irrigation projects with a total cost of 1.96 billion pesos all over the region this March.
According to Engr. Benito Espique, Jr., regional manager of Cordillera office of the NIA, the agency already received most of the sub-allotment advice of the calendar year (CY) 2022 projects which motioned the issuance of notices to constructors for the start of project implementation. Various fora are also being conducted by NIA with the contractors so that projects are completed on time and be utilized by the farmer-beneficiaries the soonest.
Bulk of the budget amounting to P854 million focuses on the repair, restoration and improvement works for the national irrigation systems in the region. These are the Abra River Irrigation System (ARIS), Hapid Irrigation System in Ifugao, Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS) with service areas in Kalinga and Isabela, and West Apayao Abulug Irrigation System (WAAIS) with service areas in Apayao and Cagayan.
Chunks of budget for CY 2022 are also allotted for big-ticket multi-year projects in region, the Alfonso Lista Pump Irrigation Project in Ifugao with P190 million allocation, Marimay Small Reservoir Irrigation Project in Apayao with P150 million and Lower Apayao River Irrigation Project in Apayao with P5 million.
Meanwhile, solar power-driven irrigation projects received bigger budget this year with a total of P150 million while electric/fuel driver pump irrigation projects have a total budget of P63 million.
Small irrigation projects were also allotted budget of P405 million while repair of communal irrigation systems have a budget of P104 million.
“Prioritization in the identification of projects to be funded is based on the areas to be generated and restored when the irrigation projects are completed,” Espique said.
When completed, these 202 projects target to generate new area of 3,806 hectares and restore 1,000 hectares benefitting 21,542 farmers.