The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) said Thursday that a total of 1,799 farmers are expected to benefit from irrigation projects in Albay and Camarines Sur in the Bicol Region.
The NIA said these projects, which cost P74,144,127.46, include: the P37.893-million South Quinale River Irrigation System (South Quinale RIS) Rubber Dam in Barangay Busac, Oas, Albay; P874,741.48 IA Model Farm Drip Irrigation Project in Barangay Napo, Polangui, Albay, and P35.377-million Agos Rubber Dam in Barangay Agos, Bato, Camarines Sur.
The agency said the project was already inaugurated and turned over last November 16.
The NIA said supply, delivery, replacement of rubber tube for South Quinale RIS is expected to provide timely and reliable irrigation service to 753-hectares of agricultural land in Barangays Busac, Saban, Manga, and Gumabao in Oas and Barangays Linao, Bacolod, San Isidro and San Vicente in Libon, Albay benefitting 904 farmers and their families.
Also, it added that the construction of Drip Irrigation System and Greenhouse of Mahaba Nasisi Ogsong Hibiga River Irrigation System that is the 1,000-square meter IA Model Farm will benefit 775 Bicolano farmers of Barangays Balinad, Napo, Ponso, Mendez, and Alnay of Polangui and Barangays Balogo and Sitio Maguiron, San Ramon of Oas, Albay.
The NIA said the supply, delivery, commissioning and testing of rubber dam, canal structures and access roads of Agos Communal Irrigation Project, the first rubber dam in Camarines Sur, is set to irrigate 166.67-hectares of farmlands in the Barangays San Miguel and Agos in Bato, Camarines Sur with 120 farmer beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, NIA announced that 16 units of shotgun, 1,680 ammunition/rounds of 9mm, and 1,920 ammunition/rounds of 12 gauge were turned-over to NIA Region 5 after its central office procured 319 units of shotgun armed gladiator caliber 12 gauge.
Despite the prevalence of Covid-19, NIA said it “remains true to its commitment in providing efficient, reliable, and sustainable irrigation service to the Filipino farmers.”