Boost to Cordillera’s ‘Salad Bowl’: ₱49M irrigation projects benefit over 400 Benguet farmers

Benguet, Philippines – A total of 456 farmers in Benguet are now benefiting from an improved water supply for their farms following the turnover of seven irrigation projects worth P49 million. The turnover took place during the Benguet Federation of Irrigators’ Associations Farmers’ Congress on February 20, 2026, at the Provincial Engineering Office in Wangal, La Trinidad.

Farming remains a major economic backbone of Benguet, particularly in its highland municipalities such as La Trinidad, Atok, Buguias, and Bakun, among others. The province is widely known as the “Salad Bowl of the Philippines” due to its large-scale vegetable production, supplying markets not only in Metro Manila but also in other lowland areas across the country.

Implemented by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in 2025, the projects now irrigate a combined 177.68 hectares of farmland across six municipalities in the province.

According to PIA–Cordillera, the completed projects include the Akayad Pamaskan Communal Irrigation System (CIS) in Batan, Kabayan, turned over to Agpay-Pongil-Penged IA Inc.; Makidot CIS in Topdac, Atok, to Piket Awa Farmers IA Inc.; and Tuludan CIS in Cattubo, Atok, to Cattubo Farmers IA Inc., among others.

Other projects include the Nasapa Banaaw CIS in Amlimay, Buguias, turned over to Nasapa Nambulang Bana-ao Farmers IA Inc.; Sagubo CIS in Sagubo, Kapangan, to Lanas, Manga, Pengew, Ampongot Proper, Dominay Association Inc.; the Central Bahong Small Irrigation System in Bahong, La Trinidad, to Barangay Bahong IA Inc.; and Mamuyod CIS in Ambassador, Tublay, to Baybayuan Agpay Pakpakan Farmers IA Inc.

The seven irrigation systems form part of eight projects implemented in the province in 2025, with a total funding allocation of P49 million. To support proper maintenance, NIA–Cordillera also released P1.5 million in operation and maintenance grants to 62 irrigators’ associations in Benguet.

With the formal turnover completed, the irrigators are expected to take full responsibility for operating and maintaining the systems to ensure their sustainability and continued service to farmers and association members.