NIA Region XII – In support to the President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. battlecry for unity to achieve lasting peace that paves the way for national progress and the Department of Agriculture (DA) Food Security Program, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Acting Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen visited the Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project - Phase II (MMIP II) at Liguasan Marsh, Pikit, North Cotabato on February 10, 2023, an area rarely visited by national government officials.
Together with Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Sector Engr. C’zar M. Sulaik and NIA Region XII officials, Acting Administrator Guillen personally looked into the project site and talked to its residents on the positive impacts upon the completion of MMIP II in their way of living. He later on met with the Irrigators Association (IA) Presidents and members of the project wherein the NIA Chief highlighted the importance of the farmer-irrigators’ support and cooperation in the realization of the MMIP II.
Through MMIP II, the NIA intends to provide livelihood opportunities to the people of Pikit who are mostly members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) and outside the current programmed areas by providing Ring Dikes to prevent flooding during heavy flood flow of Pulangi River and the rising water of Liguasan Marsh. Also, installation of Solar Sump Pumps along the dike to pump out run-off water from the upper service area is eyed that at the same time will provide irrigation water to the dried-up area with a convertible facility for proper water management and agricultural production. Once proven effective, the same will be replicated in the fertile agricultural areas along the perimeter of Liguasan Marsh that will ultimately transform the war zone areas into economic zones of Southern Mindanao.
With 88.06% overall physical accomplishment as of January 15, 2023, the P5.133-billion MMIP II with 9,528-hectare service area aims to see significant changes in the municipalities of Pikit and Aleosan in the Province of North Cotabato and the municipalities of Pagalungan and Datu Montawal in the Province of Maguindanao under BARMM by providing sustainable development to the 2,802 farmers and their families.
Aside from increasing the rice production and attaining food sufficiency in the area, the project intends to achieve and sustain peace and order in the region through social and agricultural development. The completion of this peace building irrigation project will not only improve the lives of the farmers, but also transform its areas into then battle fields to peaceful agricultural fields.
Another proof that the NIA, headed by Acting Administrator Eddie G. Guillen, braves and pursues the construction of its irrigation projects contributing to continuous agricultural growth and uplifting the lives of the Filipino farmers.
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For inquiries and/or clarifications, you may contact:
EDEN VICTORIA C. SELVA
Department Manager A
NIA Public Affairs and Information Staff
Email: pais@nia.gov.ph
Landline: (02) 8921-3741
