TABUK CITY, KALINGA, Philippines – Water discharge at the Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS) has improved following the recent and successive rains, particularly within the headwaters and tributary watersheds of the Chico River.

The prolonged lack of sufficient rainfall in June and July caused the water discharge at the UCRIS intake dam to fall below the level required to support the system’s target service area, resulting in water shortages at the onset of the cropping season. The limited water supply caused some delays in land preparation and planting activities; however, the target irrigated area for the current wet cropping season has been maintained.

As of today, UCRIS has achieved its target irrigated area of 16,563 hectares for the wet crop season. Of this area, approximately 9,846 hectares have already been planted, while the remaining areas are currently undergoing land preparation.

Despite the improved water supply, farmers are urged to remain vigilant and prepare for the possible impacts of the El Niño phenomenon, which is forecast to intensify during the last quarter of 2026 and may persist into early 2027. Farmers are encouraged to closely monitor weather and water availability advisories and adopt appropriate water-saving and farm management practices to help minimize potential impacts on their crops.

Chico River traces its headwaters in Mount Data, Bauko, Sabangan, and Bontoc of Mountain Province as well as some parts of Benguet and Ifugao.

UCRIS serves areas in Tabuk and Pinukpuk, Kalinga, and Quezon and Mallig, Isabela.