DAVAO CITY (PIA) — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) XI has implemented around P144.4 billion worth of irrigation-related projects across the Davao Region (Region-XI) from 2022 to mitigate the impact of water shortages brought about by the El Niño phenomenon on crops.
DAR-XI regional director Atty. Jazon Collado revealed that these projects include solar-powered irrigation pumps and communal irrigation systems, which were realized through the partnership with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) XI.
“Merong working relationship ang DAR at ang NIA. Kami sa DAR, kami ang pumupundo sa NIA, ngayon si NIA ang nag-iimplement, sila nag-iidentify (We have working relationship with NIA. DAR funds NIA, and NIA implements and identifies),” Collado said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.
The irrigation projects are funded under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program-Irrigation Component (CARP-IC) and implemented in partnership with NIA.
CARP-IC implements various interventions to mitigate the impact on crops due to water shortages and ensure a more resilient agricultural sector that can withstand the challenges posed by climatic variations.
In 2022, Collado said that a total of P30.5 million worth of irrigation projects were undertaken.
These include the P10 million Palma Gil Powered Irrigation Pump in Talaingod town in Davao del Norte, the P8 million Tagpore Solar-Powered Irrigation Pump in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, and the P12.5 million San Victor Communal Irrigation System in Baganga town in Davao Oriental.
Meanwhile, a total of P68.9 million was allocated in 2023 for the implementation of three irrigation projects in Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental.
These include the P12.4 million Palma Gil Powered Irrigation Pump in Talaingod town in Davao del Norte, the P31.5 million Bongloy Communal Irrigation System in New Bataan town in Davao de Oro, and the P25 million Manorigao I Communal Irrigation System Extension in Caraga town in Davao Oriental.
For 2024, Collado said that with five irrigation projects in the pipeline, two were already completed, namely the P30 million Kisulan Solar-Powered Irrigation Pump in Kiblawan town in Davao del Sur and the P15 million Little Baguio Communal Irrigation System in Little Baguio, Davao Occidental.He added that two of the proposed projects in Davao de Oro and Davao del Sur are currently being constructed, while a project in Davao Occidental has been proposed.
Collado emphasized these irrigation projects are among the programs and projects they implemented in partnership with various national government agencies to help agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) across the region. (ASO/PIA Davao Region)
