P997.4-million irrigation project in Quezon, on its halfway to completion

March 18, 2022, 9:01 AM

NIA CALABARZON – Under the leadership of Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) fast-tracks the construction of the P997.4-million Macalelon Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (MSRIP) located in the Municipality of Macalelon Quezon. On March 10-11, 2022, NIA Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Sector Engr. C’zar Sulaik and NIA CALABARZON Regional Manager Wilson M. Lopez conducted a joint project inspection at the dam site and other irrigation facilities of MSRIP.

The project is one of the big-ticket projects in CALABARZON being implemented by NIA. It includes the construction of a 22.5-meter high zoned-earthfill embankment dam and its appurtenant structures with active storage capacity of 3.5 million cubic meters. The project aims to irrigate a total of 830 hectares of agricultural land on 10 barangays in the Municipality of Macalelon, benefitting at least 700 farmers and their families. The project is set to be completed next year.

During the dialogue with the Irrigators Associations (IAs), DA Sulaik expressed his full support to NIA Quezon Irrigation Management Office (Quezon IMO) in its effort to complete the project on time. He advised the technical personnel directly involved in the project implementation to further strengthen coordination with the contractor and Irrigators Associations (IAs).

“Gusto namin na maisayos na agad itong proyektong ito sapagkat marami sa ating mga magsasaka ang matagal nang naghihintay na mapatubigan ang kanilang mga sakahan. Kaya naman, gawin na natin ang lahat ng paraan para makaabot tayo sa target date completion natin”, he added.

DA Sulaik admits that the project encountered several setbacks during the early stage of implementation due to various factors including but not limited to funding, peace and security, weather conditions, shortage of technical experts, etc.

“Hindi man naging mabilis noong una ang pag-implement natin nitong proyekto, pero makikita naman natin ngayon kung ano ang naging development nito. Kaya naman patuloy lang tayong magtulungan at matatapos natin ito”, he said. He further seeks help from the IAs to help them in re-echoing the development of the construction to the nearby communities for project appreciation.

RM Wilson Lopez, on the other hand, highlighted the potential of Quezon province in terms of irrigation development and agricultural productivity. He assures the IAs of the safety and usefulness of having a small reservoir irrigation project (SRIP) in attaining agricultural development and increasing farmers’ income.

“Kaya po kami nandito ngayon ay para masiguro na maayos nating na-i-implement ang proyektong ito ayon sa ating approved plan. Sa pagtatapos naman po nito, kayo naman po ang makikinabang sa year-round irrigation na maidudulot ng MSRIP”, he emphasized.

NIA officials went on reassuring the affected communities that resettlement area for those who are affected by the irrigation project is underway. Meetings and trainings are also set to inform and capacitate the affected communities on possible income generation upon the completion of the project.

“Pwede tayo magtayo sa may mismong dam site ng mga fish cages para may iba tayong pinagkakakitaan. Possible din na maging eco-tourism site ito gaya ng ibang mga dam natin sa ibang regions. Kaya bukod sa pagsasaka may iba’t ibang posibleng pagkakitaan pa ang ating mga kababayan kapag natapos ito”, Regional Manager Lopez said.