Farmers in Barangay Laya West are looking forward to better harvests ahead with the completion of the phase II of the Laya West Communal Irrigation System (CIS) worth Php 18.5 million.
Funded by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and implemented by the National Irrigation Administration-Kalinga (NIA-Kalinga), the project services a total of 133 hectares of rice farms and benefits 76 farmers.
DAR and NIA-Kalinga formally turned over the project today to the Jose Anniban Farmers Irrigation Association.
“Sapay kuma ta usaren yu nga ustu ken aywanan yu nga ustu daytuy nga irrigation system. Hopefully makatulong daytuy nga project ti panagdur-as ti Laya West,” NIA-Cordillera Regional Manager Benito Espique Jr. told the famer-beneficiaries during the ceremony at the Laya West Barangay Hall.
Reynaldo Wansi, President of the Jose Anniban Farmers Irrigation Association, expressed his gratitude to DAR and NIA-Kalinga for the project which he said has significantly improved productivity in their area.
“Akseptaren mi daytuy nga sipupuso,” he said. “Manipud idi inummay daytuy nga project, adda ti percentage nga ngimatuan iti apit gapu ti dimmakelan iti danum,” Wansi added.
Wansi assured that their members have been training and learning to take care of the system properly.
For his part, Mayor Darwin Estrañero said the city government is doing its part to support Laya West farmers with the implementation of farm-to-market roads to facilitate the delivery of agricultural products.
Currently, the city government is implementing a P 8 million farmer to market road in Barangay Laya West.
The turnover ceremony of the Laya West CIS was graced by employees and officials of NIA-Kalinga and DAR-Kalinga, Provincial Administrator William Puday Jr. on behalf of Governor Ferdinand Tubban, Regino Wacas on behalf of Congressman Allen Jesse Mangaoang, Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee Andres Ngao-i, Laya West Punong Barangay Hilary Sumbad, and other guests.
By Iryll Sicnao
Photo by Armando M. Bolislis
