Mitigation measures in place vs. Aklan irrigation system closure

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The government has assured mitigating measures are in place to minimize the effects of the closure of irrigation canals in Aklan Panakuyan Irrigation system.  

photo NIA Aklan 

The Aklan river improvement project has a budget of P655.2 million for the construction of two diversion dams in Sigcay in Banga and Kinalangay Nuevo in Malinao, link canal and footbridge at West Side, main canal in East Side and protection dike.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Emmanuel Soviet Russia Dela Cruz, chairperson of the committee on agriculture, said “it is expected there will be reduction in rice production with the temporary closure of irrigation canals.”

Since October, the temporary closure of irrigation system for six months until June next year affected a total of 2,288 hectares in the towns of Banga (187 hectares in 9 barangays), New Washington (1,180 hectare in 8 barangays) and Kalibo (921 hectares in 8 barangays) in the east side.

In the west side, 1,675 hectares were also affected in Lezo (663 hectares in 11 barangays), Numancia (354 hectares in 5 barangays) and Makato (658 hectare in 9 barangays) and 1,118 hectares in the farming communities of Ibajay and Nabas of Panakuyan river irrigation system.

To lessen the effects of closure, the Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office had committed 2.5 tons of certified seeds, drought resistant rice varieties and other crops such as corn, peanut, monggo and vegetables.

Twenty nine industrial water pumps from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and DA are also available for the farmers in Aklan.

Dela Cruz said the improvement of Aklan River Irrigation system East Intake in Banga and West Intake in Malinao will help increase rice production and self-sufficiency rate in rice.

SP Aklan also urged the Silver Dragon Construction Lumber and Glass Supply to finish the improvement of Aklan irrigation system project within the time frame stipulated in the contract.