Mayor Abay joins farmers in pushing for the rehabilitation of 9.2-kilometer Chutar Irrigation System

Tinglayan, Kalinga – To further improve local agricultural productivity in the municipality, the officialdom of Tinglayan headed by Mayor Charles Abay, along with the farmers, gave their green light to the proposed rehabilitation of the Chutar Irrigation System.

The proposed project is a 9.2-kilometer canal lining covering around 90 hectares of heirloom rice in Tulgao East, Tulgao West, Butbut, Ngibat, and Poblacion.

In preparation of the feasibility study for the proposed rehabilitation of the irrigation system, which is under the Philippine Rural Development Project, the Kalinga Provincial Government, through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, held a consultation meeting at the Municipal Hall on July 31, 2025.

The meeting was facilitated by former Provincial Agriculturist, Engr. Domingo Bakilan, PRDP Provincial Consultant, and was participated by the provincial government, national agencies, and stakeholders from the beneficiary barangays to discuss the step-by-step processes required under PRDP guidelines.

Representatives from NIA, NCIP, and DENR, for their parts, thoroughly explained the legal and technical procedures necessary for the project, including environmental and ancestral domain clearances.

After the discussion of the legal and technical procedures like the environmental and ancestral domain clearances and other matters, the Tinglayan LGU and the farmer-beneficiaries expressed their support and commitment to the project, citing this will improve the agricultural production in the five barangays with the sustainable water supply for rice fields.

“Agyaman kami ti provincial government, kenni Governor Edduba, and all those who are working to make this project possible ta talaga nga dakkel nga tulong daytoy para iti agricultural productivity dagiti lima nga barangays ditoy ili tayo nga Tinglayan. Nu adda iti sustainable water supply para kadagiti farmlands nga taltalunen dagiti farmers tayo ket haan da nga agproblema iti padanum,” Mayor Abay said in an interview.

Provincial Governor James S. Edduba, who was also present during the event, underlined the importance of a reliable water supply, especially to rice farmers. The governor said he will do what he can to make sure the rehabilitation of the said irrigation system will happen.