Farmers in SK receive irrigation projects from DAR
“Finally, our dream, and that of our forefathers, has turned into a reality thanks to the Department of Agrarian Reform. Now, we don’t have to depend on the weather to plant our crops. Because of this project, we have flowing water to keep our fields irrigated all year round.”
With gratitude written on his face, Eduardo Ebane, president of the Colundibus Communal Irrigators’ Association, uttered these words during the turnover of 2 irrigation projects in the municipality of Columbio, province of Sultan Kudarat under the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Mindanao Sustainable Agrarian and Agriculture Development (MinSAAD) Project aimed to alleviate poverty, generate income, develop agribusiness and improve quality of life of its beneficiaries.
During the turnover ceremony held last September 3 in Brgy. Natividad, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Rodolfo T. Alburo said that the irrigation projects included the Dalol CIS in the said barangay which will serve 460 hectares of farm lands and the Macadiz small irrigation project (SIP) that has a service area of 57 hectares located in Brgy. Datalblao.
He added that the 2 projects amount to a total of P66.7-million, with Dalol CIS amounting to P56.9-million and Macadiz SIP amounting to P9.8-million.
“These projects are spearheaded by the DAR and implemented by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), in coordination with the local government of Columbio”, said DAR Region XII director Marion Y. Abella.
“It is under the MinSAAD Project of the department and is implemented in settlement areas in Mindanao including Sultan Kudarat, and is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA),” added Abella.
In the said event, Director Abella congratulated the cooperating agencies on the well-constructed irrigation projects, as well as the farmers from Macadiz Communal Irrigators’ Association and the Colundibus Communal Irrigators’ Association as the recipients.
“In order to maintain sustainability of the project, the beneficiaries must protect the sources, Macadiz Creek and Dalol River. They must do their civic duty to help the community by getting rid of any debris from the source that might hinder the water from flowing onto the fields,” said Abella.
DAR-MinSAAD Project Manager Eduardo E. Suaybaguio reaffirmed the challenge presented by Abella and conveyed the message of DAR Undersecretary for Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Bernie F. Cruz as he congratulated the beneficiaries of the project and lauded the impressive efforts of the DAR, NIA and LGU in turning the project into a reality.
Mayor Edwin F. Bermudez of Columbio expressed his utmost thanks to DAR and NIA for the irrigation projects and vowed to take care and maintain the projects which will benefit many generations to come.
“This will definitely change the way of life of the farmers in the community as well as improve the economy through higher rice production. DAR will always play a big role in the improvement of the lives of the people of Columbio,” said Bermudez.
NIA Sultan Kudarat division manager Flora May D. Respicio assured that their agency will continue to monitor the projects and give ample trainings to the farmers on how to effectively utilize the system and produce more crops.
In parting, PARPO Alburo has this to say, “In life, there are people who let things happen, people who allow things to happen, and people who make things happen. Certainly, this attests that the DAR make things happen, for the benefit of the agrarian reform beneficiaries and their families.”
Kathleen S. Pagayon
