NIA-CAR REPORTS 113K HECTARES OF FARMLANDS IRRIGATED, EQUIVALENT TO 61.24 PERCENT ACCOMPLISHMENT

July 21, 2024 Provincial

P2.903-Billion allocation for 2024

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet

The National Irrigation Administration Cordillera (NIA- CAR) reported that it had developed 113,539.32 hectares of new service areas, equivalent to 61.24 percent accomplishment out of the total of 185, 406 hectares of potential
irrigable area across the region. Some 71,866.68 hectares still to be developed. Based on the Status of Irrigation
Development Report (As of December 31,2023) Kalinga topped the list with 30,486.91 hectares developed out of the
44,190 hectares potential irrigable area; followed by Abra 20,748.93 hectares ; Ifugao 20,469.24 hectares; Benguet
16,442.31 hectares; Mt Province 12,823.17 hectares; and Apayao 12, 568.76 hectares.

These developed new areas irrigation systems communal irrigation systems (CIS) include NIA assisted projects. As to percentage of irrigation development, Abra on top with 80.83 percent; Ifugao (79.25) ; Kalinga (68.99) ; Benguet (63.86) ; Mt. Province (42.66); and Apayao (37.07). Notably, Apayao has 2, 179.96 hectares service area of Flora and Sta Marcela managed by East Apayao- Abulug Irrigation System of Region 2; Ifugao has 738 hectares National Irrigation System(NIS) service area of Magat RI/S in Alfonso Lista managed by Magat RIS, Isabela; and Kalinga has 863.68 service area of CRIP under the responsibility of Region 2.

For 2024, the agency reported that 5,374 farmers benefitted from the initially completed irrigation projects and it has generated 5, 157 jobs. In a report submitted to Engineer Benito Espique Jr., NIA- CAR Regional Manager by
Sammy Kimbungan, Engineering Construction Head, there are 33 initially completed projects out of the 260 programmed irrigation projects for CY 2024. Among the projects completed are- Repair of Ground Pump Irrigation System (RGPIS), Service Roads, Establishment of Ground Pump Irrigation System (ERGPIS), Repair of Communal
and National Irrigation Systems (CIS/NIS) and Small Irrigation Project(SIP).

These completed projects are located in Abra (5); Apayao (7); Benguet (7); Ifugao (1); Kalinga (9); and Mt. Province (4). Some 22 hectares of new areas were developed and 381.78 hectares were restored for a total of 403.78 hectares.
The agency has a total allocation of P2, 903,950.84 billion for CY 2024.

Kris Angel N. Ngayawon- UC Intern/ABN