P10M irrigation system in Bakun, Benguet now operational, serving over 40 hectares of IP farmland

Bakun, Benguet - At least fifty-four indigenous farmers in Kayapa, Bakun, Benguet, are now assured of enough supply of water for their crops following the completion of a P10 million irrigation system in the area. 

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) - Benguet, in partnership with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) - Cordillera, turned over the Kayapa Small Irrigation System (KSIS) to the Legab-Kayapa Indigenous Farmers and Irrigators Association Incorporated on June 25, 2025. 

The irrigation project comes with 14 concrete water reservoir tanks located across sitios of Kayapa, two pump houses equipped with piston-type diesel engines, over 15,000 linear meters of HDPE pipes, suspended pipelines, concrete barrels, and riprap protection works. 

These were installed to ensure a steady and accessible water supply for the 40 hectares of farmland of the beneficiaries, especially during the dry season, and to boost crop production in the area and in Benguet as a whole. 

During the turned-over ceremony, DAR-Benguet Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Lailani Cortez thanked the NIA-CAR and other partners for making the project possible while reminding the beneficiaries to take care of the system. 

“I hope nga daytoy nga project ket makatulong iti panagbiag tayo. Sapay kuma ta usaren tayo nga nasayaat ken aywanan tayo tapno ad-adunto manen ti umay nga proyekto kadakayo,” Cortez added, as quoted by the DAR-Benguet in its report. 

A ribbon-cutting ceremony, signing of turnover documents, and the awarding of a certificate of acceptance to Legab-Kayapa IFIA capped the event. 

The Legab-Kayapa IFIA is composed of Kankanaey and Bago farmers.