Lawaan, Eastern Samar — Rice farmers in Barangay Taguite can now double their annual harvests and income, thanks to the completion of the communal irrigation system rehabilitation. With a consistent water supply now available throughout the year, farmers can plant rice even during the dry season, effectively doubling their planting cycles.

The ₱6-million completed project was officially turned over for maintenance to the Taguite Irrigators Association, Inc. The project was implemented in two phases and funded by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) through the Agrarian Reform Fund,

Program Beneficiaries Development Division Chief Celso Cidro, who represented DAR Eastern Visayas Regional Director Robert Anthony Yu, said that irrigation interventions are a key priority for DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III, which led to the realization of this project.

Engr. Rizalina Gallarde, Manager of the Irrigation Management Office, who oversaw the project said that it included the construction of over 200 meters of the concrete main canal, 30 meters of the flume, a carabao crossing, and turnout during the first phase. The second phase involved an additional 228 meters of concrete main canal, 204 meters of lateral canal, turnout, head gate, and carabao crossing. The system now supplies water sourced from the Taguite River to approximately 30 hectares of rice fields.

In his acceptance speech, Edgardo Gabornes, President of the Taguite Irrigators Association, Inc., expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Secretary Estrella for the realization of this project.

The irrigation system will benefit 50 members of the association, 38 of whom are agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). Gabornes also noted that the project will serve as flood control during heavy rains, providing additional protection for their crops.

Lawaan, Eastern Samar — Maaari na ngayong madoble taunang ani at kita ng mga magsasaka ng palay sa Barangay Taguite, salamat sa pagkumpleto ng communal irrigation system rehabilitation. Sa tuloy-tuloy na suplay ng tubig sa buong taon, maaari ng magtanim ang mga magsasaka kahit sa panahon ng tag-init, na epektibong madodoble ang kanilang ikot ng pagtatanim.

Opisyal na inilipat ang pamamahala ng ₱6 milyon na natapos na proyekto sa Taguite Irrigators Association, Inc. Ang proyekto ay ipinatupad sa dalawang yugto at pinondohan ng Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) sa pamamagitan ng Agrarian Reform Fund.

Sinabi ni Program Beneficiaries Development Division Chief Celso Cidro, na kumatawan kay DAR Eastern Visayas Regional Director Robert Anthony Yu, pangunahing prayoridad ni DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III ang mga interbensyon para sa patubig, na humantong upang maisakatuparan ang proyektong ito.

Ayon kay Engr. Rizalina Gallarde, Manager ng Irrigation Management Office, na nangasiwa sa proyekto, ito ay kinabibilangan ng konstruksyon ng mahigit 200 metro ng konkretong main canal, 30 metro ng flume, tawiran ng kalabaw, at turnout sa unang yugto. Sa ikalawang yugto naman ay nadagdag ang 228 metro ng konkretong main canal, 204 metro ng lateral canal, turnout, head gate, at tawiran ng kalabaw. Ang sistema ay nagsusuplay ngayon ng tubig mula sa Taguite River sa humigit-kumulang 30 ektarya ng mga palayan.

Sa kanyang talumpati ng pagtanggap, ipinahayag ni Edgardo Gabornes, Pangulo ng Taguite Irrigators Association, Inc., ang kanyang pasasalamat kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Kalihim Estrella sa pagsasakatuparan ng proyektong ito.

Makikinabang sa sistema ng patubig ang 50 miyembro ng asosasyon, kung saan 38 sa kanila ay mga agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). Binanggit din ni Gabornes na magsisilbi ring flood control ang proyekto tuwing malakas ang ulan, na magbibigay ng karagdagang proteksyon sa kanilang mga pananim.