The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) had completed another two small irrigation projects in the Province of Antique and turned over to Irrigators Associations for operation and maintenance. The two projects are just one of the completed irrigation projects of the NIA in its fast-tracking commitment of complete the rehabilitation, restoration and construction of various irrigation projects in the country. The two projects have a combined irrigated area of about 60 hectares benefiting 70 farmers costing P3 M.
The Mablad and Bugnay Small Irrigation Projects are one of the sixty (60) projects under the Irrigated Rice Production Enhancement Project (IRPEP) in Antique with an overall total estimated project cost of P260 M . Once the rehabilitation, restoration and construction of these projects were completed, they will have a combined irrigated area of 6,165 ha benefiting 7,368 farmers.
Completion of irrigation projects is in line with the Rice Self-Sufficiency Program of the government as these contributes to more productive and harvestable area.
The turnover of the completed projects was done during the AgriPinoy Farmers’ Forum held in the Municipality of Barbaza in the Province of Antique. It was witnessed by no less than DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, NIA Administrator Antonio S. Nangel, Antique Governor Exequiel Javier, Congressman Paolo Javier, Barbaza Mayor Faith Francisco and other LGU Executives, NIA officials and Irrigators’ Associations.
