By Hilda Austria and Liwayway Yparraguirre
In Bugallon, Pangasinan, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has provided 643 water pumps, with nine solar-powered irrigation systems currently being built, to assist farmers in dealing with the El Niño phenomenon. According to Engineer John Molano, NIA-Pangasinan Irrigation Management Office Division Manager, these water pumps were distributed to all irrigators’ associations in the province, covering a total of 65,611.52 hectares of farmland.
All districts of Pangasinan got their water pumps. The associations got one to two units, which will be lent to the member-farmers,” he said.
Molano said nine solar-powered irrigation systems are also being constructed in the towns of Aguilar, Malasiqui, Mangaldan, Dasol, Manaoag, San Jacinto, Rosales, Binalonan and Umingan.
He said they target to irrigate a minimum of 520 hectares in each town with this project, and each facility costs around PHP2 million to PHP10 million depending on the covered area.
“The irrigators will not spend any amount. It will also save them from gasoline or petrol,” he added.
Meanwhile, construction of the Dumuloc Small Reservoir Irrigation Project in this town is now about 48 percent done.
Molano said the target completion date of the earthfill dam is on April 19, 2025.
“When operational, the water impounded will directly benefit 1,484 families from barangays Hacienda, Salomague Norte, Salomague Sur, Bolaoen, Cayanga, Poblacion, Portic, Laguit Centro, San Francisco and Umanday, this town,” he said.
Cesar Boquiren, president of the Federation of Dumuloc River Irrigation System, said they are thankful to NIA for these projects.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa NIA kasi ito na po yong hinihintay ng matagal ng maraming magsasaka. Sa ngayon, medyo kulang ang patubig dito sa amin. Kahit gustong-gusto namin magtanim, kahit masipag ang mga magsasaka kung kulang naman sa patubig, iilan lang ang nakakapag-third cropping (We thank NIA because we have been waiting for this. As of now, there is shortage in the water supply for irrigation in our place so even if farmers want to plant more, they cannot and only few plant for third cropping,” he said.
The project includes hydrology, dam, spillway, diversion conduit, irrigation outlets and the reservoir. (PNA)
