KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Region 12 has continued to empower the agricultural sector through various irrigation development projects.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on Oct. 22 in Koronadal City, NIA Regional Manager Diosdado A. Rosales highlighted the agency’s recent accomplishments and plans, emphasizing their commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity in the region.
According to Rosales, NIA has successfully accomplished 66 projects, with a total budget allocation of 1.184 billion pesos under the National Expenditures Program (NEP).
He noted that these projects should restore 188 hectares and provide services to about 1,880 hectares of agricultural land.
“Medyo maraming additional areas talaga ang napapatubigan natin for the year,” Rosales said.
(We have quite a few additional areas that we can irrigate throughout the year.)
The agency’s report indicates that project implementation for the calendar year is already at 72% as of September.
The achievement, he said, underscores NIA’s dedication to develop irrigation infrastructure and support the agriculture sector.
Furthermore, Rosales disclosed that the national office of NIA is funding six major projects currently in development.
The construction of a reservoir in Barangay Maybula, Tulunan, in the province of Cotabato, the first of its kind in the region, is one of those projects, with a projected cost of around 1.5 billion pesos.
Rosales told the Philippine Information Agency that the project, which includes a microhydropower component capable of generating electricity and could irrigate 1,650 hectares of agricultural land, will take four years to complete.
Rosales also shared some innovative irrigation projects in the region that aim to enhance agricultural productivity and support local farmers.
He clarified that the projects incorporate strategically designed service roads in addition to improving water supply in communities.
He further emphasized that these service roads play a crucial role in transporting agricultural products from farms to the market.
“Ito ngayon, ‘yong mga kalsada natin talaga, all these years, talagang ginagamit ito as farm to market roads ng ating mga farmers, diyan nila dinadaan ‘yong mga harvest nila,” he stated.
(Our farmers have been using our roads as farm-to-market routes for years, transporting their harvests along these routes.)
Aside from service roads, Rosales also announced that the agency has implemented a new categorization for its water systems, now classified as multipurpose.
Rosalaes claimed that the development represents a significant change in the region’s ability to use water resources beyond traditional irrigation.
He also stated that farmers can now use the NIA’s irrigation system to provide potable water and even support tourism activities.
In fact, local government units may use some irrigation facilities for drainage and hydroelectric power generation, among other uses, Rosales further said.
“So, maraming gamit po ang ating irrigation sa ngayon (our irrigation system is very useful right now),” the official noted.
Meanwhile, Rosales also called upon farmers to cooperate and unite to support government initiatives through NIA, reiterating the agency’s commitment to remain focused on innovations that create agricultural productivity, support the local economy, and improve the quality of life for every citizen. (CRM – PIA Region 12)
