NIA-Benguet turns over P11M irrigation projects to Kapangan farmers

October 29, 2019 Provincial

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet —Two irrigation projects worth P11.1 million were recently turned over to farmers in Barangay Pongayan in Kapanggan by National Irrigation Administration- Benguet Satellite Office (NIA-Benguet).
Engineer Godofredo Velaque, Benguet Satellite Office head led the simply turnover ceremony during its barangay assembly held on October 19 (2019).
“We hope these projects will foster stronger unity and among farmers aiming for harmonized development,” said Velaque in a press statement. Velaque said these completed projects are- Pongayan Communal Irrigation System (CIS) and Central Liko Communal Irrigation System, both funded under NIA’s Balikatan Sagip Patubig Program (BSPP) for CY 2018 and CY 2017, respectively.
The Pongayan Communal Irrigation System (CIS) was worth P6.5 million while Central Liko Communal Irrigation System has a budget of P4.6 million. More than 100 farmers from Pongayan Farmers Association, Inc. and Banguingey-Bawi-Liko Farmers’ Association Inc. will be benefitted from the said projects which generated a total 51 hectares of new areas, which are currently being cultivated for rice and highland vegetables.
Pauline Pad-eng and Antonio Ciano, president of Pongayan Farmers Association, Inc. and Banguingey-Bawi-Liko Farmers’ Association Inc., respectively, expressed their gratitude to the government for the projects.
Municipal Mayor Manny Fermin who also attended the barangay assembly and turnover activities urged the community to protect their communal forests to sustain water of their irrigation systems.
 
Primo Agatep/ABN