‘₱545M irrigation projects to bring water to nearly 888 hectares in Kalinga and Isabela’ - NIA-Kalinga Division Manager Ferdinand Indammog

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Nearly 888 hectares of farmland in Kalinga and parts of Isabela are expected to benefit from ₱545 million worth of irrigation projects being implemented by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)-Kalinga this year.

The projects aim to improve water delivery to agricultural areas through the repair, rehabilitation, and restoration of existing irrigation systems, construction of new irrigation structures, improvement of service roads, and installation of solar-powered pumps.

In an interview with Guru Press Cordillera, NIA-Kalinga Division Manager Ferdinand Indammog said the projects are expected to serve 887.86 hectares, including 136.41 hectares of new areas, 471.81 hectares targeted for rehabilitation, and 279.64 hectares for restoration.

Beyond the figures, the projects are expected to provide farmers with more reliable access to irrigation water—an essential component in increasing agricultural productivity and strengthening food security.

Communal irrigation systems get major boost

Part of the ₱545-million allocation is for Communal Irrigation Systems (CIS) in Tabuk City, Balbalan, Pasil, Lubuagan, Pinukpuk, Rizal, Tanudan, and Tinglayan.

The projects include canal lining and canalization, construction and repair of canal structures, diversion and protection works, restoration of damaged facilities, and improvement of irrigation service roads.

These interventions are designed to improve the efficiency of existing systems and help ensure that irrigation water is properly distributed to farmlands.

The program also covers the rehabilitation and repair of damaged communal irrigation facilities, including canal linings and other structures that require restoration.

UCRIS projects to benefit Kalinga, Isabela farmers

Other projects are being implemented under the Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS), the only national irrigation system in Kalinga.

The projects cover UCRIS service areas in Tabuk City and Pinukpuk in Kalinga, as well as Quezon and Mallig in Isabela.

Among the planned works are improvements to irrigation service roads, canal restoration, and construction or replacement of irrigation structures.

Damaged UCRIS facilities, including diversion structures, canal linings, and siphon facilities, are also included in the rehabilitation works.

Solar power joins the irrigation push

The 2026 program also includes solar-powered pump irrigation projects, providing alternative sources of water for agricultural areas.

These projects involve the supply and installation of solar pumps and accessories, construction of solar-powered water pumps, multiple-unit solar pump systems, and solar-powered irrigation systems.

The shift toward solar-powered irrigation is expected to provide additional water sources for farms while helping expand irrigation coverage in areas where conventional systems may be difficult to establish.

Small irrigation projects reach more farms

The program also includes Small Irrigation Projects (SIPs) involving canal lining, canalization, diversion works, pressure-relief boxes, turnouts, flumes, and protection structures.

Some projects will also involve suspended pipelines, closed conduits, and other facilities designed to regulate and efficiently deliver irrigation water to farms.

With projects covering both new irrigation facilities and the repair, rehabilitation, restoration, and improvement of existing systems, NIA-Kalinga’s 2026 program is expected to strengthen irrigation services across Kalinga and parts of Isabela.

NIA: Farmers must help protect irrigation investments

While NIA works to complete the projects within their target schedules, Indammog appealed to farmer-beneficiaries to help protect and maintain the irrigation facilities once they become operational.

He said the agency is doing its best to complete the projects on time, whether within 2026 or, for projects requiring additional work, the following year.

Indammog stressed that farmer cooperation is crucial because the facilities are built primarily for their benefit.

“We are doing our best, tapno malpas tayo, on time dagitoy nga projects, maybe this year or nu next year. Ket kadagiti farmers tayo, alagan yo koma dagitoy nga projects nu malpas. Nu kua dalusan yo dagiti irrigation,” Indammog said.

For NIA, the ₱545-million investment is more than concrete canals, pumps, roads, and irrigation structures—it is an investment in keeping farms productive, helping farmers secure water for their crops, and strengthening the agricultural backbone of Kalinga and neighboring areas of Isabela.