Rice production in Pinukpuk expects increase with Wagod-Ammacian-Taggay irrigation Project

Pinukpuk, Kalinga - The construction of the Wagod-Ammacian-Taggay Communal Irrigation Project (WATA-CIP) realized through the initiative of Congressman Allen Jesse Mangaoang is expected to enhance the agricultural productivity of around 145 rice farmer-beneficiaries cultivating an area of 210 hectares in this locality.

The solon informed this during his recent visit to the ongoing construction through the National Irrigation Administration’s Small Irrigation Project.

In a Facebook post, Mangaoang said that the project was initiated ‘because of the high potential of the area for rice production.’

Wagod-Ammacian-Taggay (WATA) Communal Irrigation Project Phase 1-5

Operation and Maintenance Head Engineer Ferdinand Indammog disclosed that the project costs around P110,000,000.00 from Phase 1 to 5.

Indammog said the construction of the project under Phase 1 (canal lining), which started on May 3, 2017, along with Phase 5 (canal lining at Ammacian, Pinukpuk) were already completed while the diversion of the dam under Phase 2 and Phase 3 and another canal lining under Phase 4 are currently ongoing.

The target completion of the project was supposedly on June 2020. However, reports stated that the implementation was delayed due to right-of-way claims, high water levels at the job site, the incidence of armed conflict between government troops and the New People’s Army, and alleged lack of cooperation of some people since they are not direct beneficiaries.

As a resolution, contractors and WATA members signed a Memorandum of Agreement on March 12, 2021. According to the agreement, Wagod community shall be prioritized in case contractors will need laborers, thus the “Batug Ko Intrabahuk” shall be allowed by the contractors.

Further, contractors must submit the list of employees and equipment to the barangay officials for their security.

Final Phase

According to Forrest Tabbang of the Office of the Congressman, the 6th and final Phase of the project will be proposed for funding for the 2022 budget by the congressman.

“Five phases, including the nearly finished intake dam, were funded already and we hope we will be able to defend in the next budget deliberation the funding of the final phase,” the solon added in his post.

Congressman’s support to irrigation projects

In his message delivered by Regino Wacas from the Office of the Congressman during the turn-over of the PhP18.5 million communal irrigation system to the Jose Anniban Farmers Irrigators Association on July 07, Mangaoang underscored the importance of irrigation projects in boosting agricultural production in the province.

He said that for every irrigation project realized, the farmer-beneficiaries, considered as the backbone of the nation’s economy, will be well supported.

Mangaoang thanked and congratulated development partners from NIA-Kalinga for their supervision during the duration of the project’s construction.

OTHER NEWS

‘Proactive and targeted preparation is what we do’ - Mayor Dickpus on readiness against Delta break

Follow Guru Press Cordillera on Facebook for more News and Information