NIA-Kalinga starts desilting Upper Chico River irrigation system

Tabuk City, Kalinga – With the two new backhoes recently awarded to the Kalinga Irrigation Management Office, the office is now engaged in desilting and clearing operations in the Upper Chico River Irrigation System.

The desilting and clearing operation commenced on January 17, focusing on the main canal in Brgy. Bulo, Tabuk City, Kalinga. This activity aims to ensure the effective flow of irrigation water in the largest irrigation system in the Cordillera region.

The service areas of the irrigation system encompass Tabuk and Pinukpuk in Kalinga, as well as Quezon and Mallig in Isabela province.

In December of the previous year, the office received two backhoes—a short and a long-arm one—as part of the National Irrigation Administration's (NIA) Equipment Refleeting Program.

Under this program, P776 million worth of excavators were distributed to irrigators' associations (IAs) nationwide. Fortunately, Kalinga was among the beneficiaries, receiving two backhoes.

Apayao also received two backhoes, and one each was allocated for the Ifugao Satellite Office, the Abra Satellite Office, and the Alfonso Lista Pump Irrigation Project.

The primary function of the excavators, as highlighted by the NIA's top official, is to desilt canals and repair irrigation infrastructure, thereby contributing to the development of food security in the country.

During this dry season, the Upper Chico River Irrigation System, according to NIA-CAR, is poised to irrigate 15,152 hectares of farmland.