BUGUIAS, Benguet – The Kalinglingban Communal Irrigation System (CIS) in Brgy. Buyacaoan of this municipality will be operated and maintained by the Kalinglingban Irrigators’ Association (IA) after the ceremonial turnover held today, September 14, 2023.
The Kalinglingban CIS, funded under NIA’s Extension and Expansion of Existing CIS (EEECIS) amounting to P4.492 million, now serves 48 farmers tilling a total of 28 hectares, with the project generating a new area of 10 hectares and restoring 8 hectares.
Among the turned over facilities of the irrigation system include 5 reservoir tanks, 1 intake tank, 610 meters concrete canal, 820 meters 2” HDPE Pipes, 1,190 meters 1.25” G.I Pipes, 3 pump houses, 2 units of 16 horsepower pump and 1 unit of 7 HP motor pump.
According to Peter Lagadeo, president of the Kalinglingban Irrigators’ Association, the Kalinglingban CIS first received assistance from the NIA in 2012. With the extension/expansion of the irrigation system, more farmers in the upland portion were able to till their land even in the dry season.
“Idi haan nga makatalon iti dry season diyay ada ditoy rangkis nga kuna mi, ngem dakkel ti tulong na daytoy project ta tadta ket makamula mula da uray dry season. Mabalin ti mamin tallo wennu uppat pay nga cropping iti makatawen [In the past, farmers at the higher elevation could not plant in the dry season; this project is a big help as they can now plant in the dry season. Farmers can have three to four cropping in a year], said Lagadeo.
“We hope nga aywanan yu nga kusto daytoy nga irrigation system yu, ken mayat jay naibaga jay IPMR tau nga protektaran tau ti water source tayu tapnu tuloy tuloy ti daloy ti danum [We hope that you take care of your irrigation system, and as mentioned by the IPMR that we protect our water source so that irrigation water continues to flow],” said NIA-CAR Regional Manager Benito Espique, Jr.
Engr. Espique also urged IA members to complete their registration with the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture or (RSBSA) so that they are able to avail of more programs of the government for the farmers. The government has launched several convergence projects in agriculture and irrigation.
Also in attendance during the turnover ceremony are Buyacaoan Barangay Captain Wilnard Tolida, Kagawad Julius Lapas who is also a member of the IA, NIA Benguet Satellite Office Provincial Head Godofredo Velaque, Project-in-Charge Robinson Soltero, Irrigators’ Development Officer Ji-an Kines, members of the Kalinglingban IA, and the community.
