M’LANG, Cotabato Province (PIA) — The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), through the Cotabato Irrigation Management Office and the M’lang/Malasila Rivers Irrigation System (MMRIS), recently turned over to the DLS Irrigators Association (IA) in Barangay Langkong, M’lang, this province, two projects that will boost local fish production and irrigation systems in the province.
The DLS IA received the P1.3 million aquaculture farm project as its prize for being the Most Outstanding Irrigators Association in 2021, while the NIA-Central Office funded the Malasila extension project, which cost over P40 million.
Engr. Milbrend Anne Alburo, the chief of system at the MMRIS, underscored the significance of the projects, especially the aquafarm, in boosting the farmers’ income.
“’Yung ating NIA kasi is hindi lang irigasyon ‘yong kailangan nating tutukan, but then the additional income ng ating mga magsasaka,” Alburo said.
(Our NIA is not just about irrigation that we need to focus on, but also the additional income of our farmers.)
She also thanked partner agencies and stakeholders for their support in the realization of the projects.
Based on the MMRIS data, the aquafarm can house 2,000 fingerlings, while the Malasila extension project can irrigate 50 hectares.
Meanwhile, DLS IA President Diosdado Tacalis is hopeful that the projects will flourish, as these are a big help to his fellow farmers.
He also expressed gratitude for the completed project, which they can now use as another source of income.
“Buong puso po naming tinatanggap ang proyekto. Nagapasalamat gid ko sa inyo tanan kag sa mga kaupod ko nga board of trustees. Kung wala kamo, wala naton natuman ini nga proyekto,” he stated.
(We wholeheartedly accept the project. I am truly grateful to all of you and to my fellow board of trustees. If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t have accomplished this project.) (SJDM – PIA Cotabato Province)
