PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (PIA) – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA)-9 offers various programs and services that residents of the Zamboanga Peninsula (ZamPen) region can benefit from, including initiatives aimed at improving irrigation systems and supporting local farmers.
In the latest episode of Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, NIA-9 Regional Manager Engr. June Nathaniel S. Plaza discussed the agency’s efforts to tackle water shortages and supply disruptions in the irrigation systems throughout the Zamboanga Peninsula.
“Rest assured na hindi tayo magkakaroon ng shortage of water dahil may nilalagay tayong solar pumps sa ibang mga probinsya,” he said.
He emphasized that NIA has a solar-powered pump that can irrigate 15 hectares, and currently have around 31 to 38 ongoing projects worth 500 million pesos. Drilling has already started, with four projects underway, and remaining 30 to 32 projects are also started.
However, Engr. Plaza said the support provided by NIA and the Department of Agriculture includes conducting a feasibility study for food blown. NIA will construct three dams including the Pasonanca and Salaan dams which can help prevent flooding.
“One of the purposes of these dams is to control flooding, the second is for irrigation, and the third is to provide potable water,” he added.
NIA-9 calls on the farmers in ZamPen to fully support government irrigation and agricultural programs, stressing the importance of community participation for enhancing agricultural productivity and resource management.
NIA and the government are requesting the farmers support these programs, as opportunities like these are rare and may only come once.
“NIA-9 naghangyo kaninyo, kini tinood, dili plastikanay, walay binuang diri. Kani nga programa sa NIA ug sa atong tibuok gobyerno, palihug lang suportahe,” he emphasized.
(NIA-9 appeals to you sincerely this is genuine, with no pretense or deceit. This program from the NIA and our entire government just needs your support.) (EDT/EAM-GIP/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur)
