DA initiates P1B Iloilo irrigation work

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Agriculture (DA) has initiated a P1-billion small river water impounding project in Iloilo, which will provide year-round water supply to surrounding farms.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, who led ground-breaking rites in Barangay (village) Nueva Invencion of Barotac Viejo town, said the facility would also help expand irrigated farms by 265 hectares.

Alcala said the expansion in area could add 265 tons to the country’s annual palay output because of the increase in yield and cropping intensity.

Also in Barotac Viejo, the DA turned over to the local government of Barangay San Antonio a P2.9-million tramline project—a bicable system that can haul 360 kilos of goods per trip at a speed of up to 150 meters per minute.

The tramline is expected to provide farmers better market access for their produce.

Earlier this month, the DA said a group of Muslim and Christian farmers in North Cotabato could expect irrigation water to flow back to their fields with the opening of a newly rehabilitated communal system in Kabacan town.

According to the agency’s office in Region 12, P8.4 million from the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) had been spent to restore the facility that supplies water to the Pisan Chrislam Communal Irrigation Association (PCIA) in Barangay Pisan.

The project, which involved the construction of a 2.9-kilometer canal, also received funds from the provincial government.

According to the PCIA, beneficiaries include more than 500 Muslim and Christian farmers who tend to 100 hectares of farmland.