NIA starts implementation of 202 irrigation projects in CAR

April 4, 2022 Provincial

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) starts implementing 202 irrigation projects with a total cost of 1.96 billion pesos all over the region this March.
According to Engr. Benito Espique, Jr., regional manager of NIA-Cordillera Administrative Region, the agency already received most of the sub-allotment advice of the CY 2022 projects which motioned the issuance of notices to constructors for the start of project implementation.
Various fora are also being conducted by NIA with the contractors so that projects are completed on time and be utilized by the farmer-beneficiaries the soonest.
The bulk of the budget amounting to P854 million focuses on the repair, restoration, and improvement work for the national irrigation systems in the region.
These are the Abra River Irrigation System (ARIS), Rapid Irrigation System in Ifugao, and Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS) with service areas in Kalinga and Isabela, and West Apayao Abulug Irrigation System (WAAIS) with service areas in Apayao and Cagayan.
Chunks of budget for CY 2022 are also allotted for big-ticket multi-year projects in CAR, the Alfonso Lista Pump Irrigation Project in Ifugao with P190 million allocation, Marimay Small Reservoir Irrigation Project in Apayao with P150 million, and Lower Apayao River Irrigation Project in Apayao with P5 million.
Meanwhile, solar power-driven irrigation projects received a bigger budget this year with a total of P150 million while electric/fuel driver pump irrigation projects have a total budget of P63 million.
Small irrigation projects were also allotted a budget of P405 million while the repair of communal irrigation systems has a budget of P104 million.
“Prioritization in the identification of projects to be funded is based on the areas to be generated and restored when the irrigation projects are completed,” Espique said. When completed, these 202 projects target to generate a new area of 3,806 hectares and restore 1,000 hectares benefitting 21,542 farmers.