Submitted by admin-r4b on
Oriental Mindoro - Eighty three (83) farmers will benefit from the P21M newly-constructed Water Tacligan small irrigation project (SIP) of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) at Baco, Oriental Mindoro. This will cover the 240 hectares of municipalities of Baco and San Teodoro and will get its water from Matulin River.
Water Tacligan SIP is pump irrigation type where construction was started on May 2014 and was completed last September 2015. This aims to help increase rice production and water delivery including prevention of flooding on the service area.
Inauguration of the project was recently held with the presence of NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, DPA. Present also were members of the Lumangbayan Water Tacligan Irrigators Association (IA) headed by their president Mr. Felixberto C. Axalan, NIA IV-B Acting Regional Manager Ramon A. Bugacia, MOMARO IMO OIC Lowell L. Lozano, Baco Municipal Mayor Reynaldo A. Marco, Baco Municipal Vice Mayor Eric V. Castillo, Lumangbayan Brgy. Captain Salvador N. Zulueta, Water Brgy. Captain Alvin B. Cabatay and CSC Representative Irene D. Abu.
Both Mr. Axalan and Mayor Marco were very thankful for the project provided by NIA. They said that this will be of big help for the farmers especially this planting season.
Acting Regional Manager Bugacia emphasized the importance of proper orientation to be conducted for the beneficiaries on the effective operation and maintenance of Water Tacligan SIP. He noted that using said type of irrigation project is a little expensive because it is powered by diesel. The IA should make sure that water will be properly utilized to avoid wastage. But the government stressed the usage of solar power though this investment is also expensive. Acting Regional Manager Bugacia assured that NIA will help in achieving this alternate way by looking for sponsors.
“Ulitin ko, ito ay hindi sa NIA. Ito ay sa inyo. Ang ikakatagal o ikakadali ng buhay ng irrigation [project] na iyan ay nasa kamay ninyo. Pag-ingatan ninyo ito upang umabot pa sa next generation.” emphasized Acting Regional Manager Bugacia.
Meanwhile, NIA Administrator Padernal was very happy to see the smiles of the farmers who will benefit from the project. Without this project, the only source of water is rain fed. But now, even third cropping is possible which will be taught to the IA through capacity building programs of NIA. The administrator also mentioned the possible construction of IA office to be used for their transactions and meetings.
“Pagtulong-tulungan na lang po natin na mabayaran ang kuryente para sa irrigation project. Ang objective natin sa NIA ay mapalaki ang kita ng mga farmers. Kapag lumaki ang kita, gaganda ang buhay nating lahat. Asahan po ninyo ang tulong ng NIA. Tatapusin natin lahat ng plano natin para sa inyo.” said Administrator Padernal as he ended his speech.
Blessing, turnover of symbolic key and signing of system acceptance took place afterwards.#Aileen Vernice G. Bahia, Regional Office