By Rachel Magday
NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Over P68 million worth of agriculture projects were turned over to various Irrigators Association(IA) in Nueva Vizcaya in a ceremony led by Gov. Atty. Jose V. Gambito, National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Division Manager Felipa S. Sumer and Dept of Agriculture-PhilMech. on August 21.
According to NIA Engr. Edhen Shiela Allaga,Supervising Engineer A, the package included P56.5 million in Communal Irrigation System (CIS) projects turned over through NIA to 12 Irrigators’ Associations across six municipalities.
Bambang received three CIS projects totaling P23.5 million: Simmanguer CIS (P11.5 million), San Fernando Baguimbing Malayo CIS (P7 million) and Aliaga CIS (P5 million).
Four CIS projects in Aritao amounted to P16 million: Upper Sta. Clara (P5.5 million), Mabalit CIS (P4 million), Kirang CIS (P3.5 million) and Upper Tucanon (P3 million).
Two CIS projects in Dupax del Sur were turned over: Palabotan CIS (P3 million) and Abaca CIS (P3 million). In Dupax del Norte, the Madiana CIS (P3 million) was turned over. Ambaguio received the Tiblac CIS (P5 million), while Sta. Fe received the Sinapaoan CIS (P3 million).
Gov. Gambito said his administration prioritizes supporting farmers and the agriculture sector, stressing that the investments aim to raise productivity, income and resilience in rural communities. He added that as farmers’ livelihoods improve and earnings from farming grow, they should no longer have to rely on government financial aid, and can support their families with sustainable, dignified income from the land.
Also attending the event were Vice Gov. Eufemia Ang Dacayo and former board member Florante S. Gerdan, who represented Cong. Timothy Joseph E. Cayton.
Meanwhile, seven IA’s also received Precision Rice Seeders(PRS) from the Philippine Center for Post Harvest Development and Mechanization(PhilMech) valued at P1.732 million per unit , according to Razel Quinto, Irrigators Development Officer A of NIA Nueva Vizcaya.
The Magarang Bagahabag Irrigators Association received two units, while one unit each went to the Lower Bangaan Solano IA, Dumayop Tabban IA, Bantian Señora Falls IA, Arwat Palabotan IA and Probinsiano IA.
The turnover covered irrigators’ groups across Bambang, Aritao, Dupax del Sur, Dupax del Norte, Ambaguio and Sta. Fe, bringing the total value of the day’s interventions to more than P68 million.
