NIA-CAR LOGS NO AFFECTED IN SERVICE AREAS; HASTENS WATER DELIVERY AND DISTRIBUTION (WDD)

March 23, 2024 Provincial

Kalinga’s river stream flow ‘critical’

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet The National Irrigation Administration-Cordillera (NIA-CAR) reported that its 67,494 total program areas for irrigation still not affected by the dryspell even as it hasten a rotational supply of water to farm
lands to meet the harvest period. The agency, however, disclosed that Kalinga’s river stream flow -water supply
(March 17) is in ‘critical’ stage at 18.045 cubic meter per second (cms) while the required discharge should be 29.19 cms based on standing crop.

All other water supply from rivers and dams for its irrigation systems are above normal level more than enough to the required discharges. Based on the agency’s El Nino Monitor for this dry season, topping mitigation measures include- strict implementation of rotational method of delivery and distribution (WDD). In line with the convergence policy of the government, NIA-CAR was also ably assisted by DA-CAR which provided water pumps to farmer beneficiaries.

As per NIA-CAR record, rice producing areas in the region, the average yield of palay (unmilled) posted at 100 cavans per hectare. In span of two years (2022-2023), total farmer beneficiaries recorded at 49,475. The agency received actual amount of P5.089 billion in in span of three years (2022-2024). Meanwhile, the agency through Enr. Benito Espique,Jr. congratulates the Baguio Correspondents Club of Baguio (BCBC), headed by its president Thomas Picana, publisher and editor-in-chief of Amianan Balita Ngayon for sustaining its decades-old annual Lucky for the Lucky Summer Visitors (LSV). ‘ The program has boosted the tourism efforts of the city and nearby towns,’ said Espique whose agency has extended support.

Primo Agatep/ABN