DAR, NIA turn-over P12M irrigation project to increase agri production

NUEVA VIZCAYA – The Department of Agrarian Reform in the province recently turned-over the communal irrigation system (CIS) worth P12-Million to the officials and members of Paoac-Barobbob La Torre Irrigators, Inc. on February 17, 2023 at La Torre, Bayombong.

The said project was funded by the Department of Agrarian Reform under Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program-Irrigation Component (CARP-IC) in partnership with the National Irrigation and Administration (NIA).

According to Officer-In-Charge Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Rustico R. Turingan, the CIS project will serve over 334 hectares rain-fed agricultural lands and will benefit more than 94 ARB households in barangay La Torre.

With this project, the farmer-beneficiaries will be able to increase their agricultural production due to sufficient water supply for their crops.

The rehabilitation of CIS in La Torre started in June 2022 and completed in December of the same year, Turingan further said.

 

Meanwhile, Cagayan Valley Regional Director Primo C. Lara said, we are aware that one of the challenges facing our agrarian reform beneficiaries is the shortage of water supply for their farmlands.  Hence, it is included in one of the nine (9)-point agenda of Secretary Conrado M. Estrela III.

 

We will continue to have a strong collaboration with other national agencies like National Irrigation Authority (NIA) inorder to ensure that the department's mission is implemented properly and to expedite assistance and d

elivery of support services, such as construction of irrigation projects.

“The activity you have seen today, serves as a preview of what the department will be doing in the future. This is also consistent with the DAR Region 2 emblem, which represents one voice and one heart,” RD Lara added.

Municipal Mayor Antonio Sergio G. Bagasao, in his message, reminded the farmers to maintain the worthiness of the infrastructure according to its purpose inorder for it to last longer until the next generation.

During the turn-over ceremony, farmer-beneficiaries present thanked the national and local government officials for their unending assistance and support in providing irrigation system in the town of Bayombong.

The said activity was also attended by Vice-Governor Jose V. Gambito, Atty. Eduardo “Edu” Balgos, Engr. Felipa S. Sumer, Division Manager, NIA-NVMO, Petronilo Cabasal, IA President, PARCCOM members, other DARR02 and NIAR02 officials and employees.

RIO Richard T. Francisco/PIO Camile Florendo