Local officials in NegOr optimistic about agri dev’t
TANJAY CITY, Negros Oriental, Feb. 22 (PIA) -- Local officials in Negros Oriental expressed their optimism in the province’s agriculture industry as the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is set to build a massive irrigation facility covering 3, 827 hectares of irrigable land in Tanjay City, Bais City, and Pamplona this year.
Assistant Provincial Administrator Atty. Froilan Pinili, Provincial Agriculturist Nestor Villaflores, Bais City Mayor Mercedes Goñi, and Atty. Elson Bustamante of the Tanjay City Government lauded NIA for embarking on the irrigation project which is expected to boost the province’s rice, sugar, and crop productions.
The said officials were present during the groundbreaking, capsule-laying, and blessing of the irrigation project in its pilot site in Brgy. Sta Cruz Viejo, Palanas, Tanjay City on Feb. 18 with NIA Provincial Irrigation Officer Nestor Pastor leading the event.
The irrigation system will have its main water source from Tanjay River with supplementary water sources from other river channels in Bais City and Pamplona.
The type of irrigation is “run-of-the-river” and the type of diversion work is a gravity dam.
The estimated project cost of this irrigation facility is P975-M.
In his speech, Pinili emphasized that this project would help the province achieve rice sufficiency amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The provincial government is happy with this development. Hopefully with that our province will be rice sufficient. We will be somehow secured in our food production,” Pinili said.
He also noted that through this initiative, the province will no longer have to depend on rice imports to meet the food demands of its residents as rice fields are expected to yield more produce.
Meanwhile, Bustamante added that this irrigation facility will benefit 1,500 households that are dependent on agriculture.
“Kining mao proyekto dugay na ning gipangandoy sa taga-Tanjay especially kining area dinhi ug sa San Jose, San Isidro, Manipis, ug Luka. Kining mga area mao gud ni gaprodukto ug humay. Bisan sa ilang pagka-prime agricultural land kaduha ra gud sila moprodukto sa humay kay panahon sa tig-init mala naman ang yuta didto. Karon ang mga pangandoy sa katawhan natuman na gyud (The people of Tanjay, especially those living here and in barangays San Jose, San Isidro, Manipis and Luka, have been longing for this project. These areas are top rice producers here. Even though they are considered to be prime agricultural land, they can plant rice twice a year because during the soil gets dry during summer. Finally, this dream is now fulfilled),” he said.
On the other hand, Goñi is also thankful to NIA, noting this project is long overdue and farmers deserve this project.
“To the farmers, I am so happy NIA can do this for you (and) help you in your efforts to make the soil prosper. It will benefit the whole province of Negros Oriental and in the grand scheme of things it will benefit our country,” she said in her speech.
Pastor disclosed that sugar planters can continue planting sugarcane but NIA encourages them to also plant rice and other vegetable crops to fully maximize the water resources supplied by the irrigation system.
He added that the use of the irrigation facility is free for farmers tilling up to eight hectares of land.
“(Ang) paggamit sa tubig libre na siya kay naa man ta program ana sa Irrigation Act labi na tong mga area below eight hectares. Mga above eight hectares labi na ang corporate farms, dili na sila malibre pero minimal naman ang kinahanglan sa tubig sa dili ra sila maapektahan (The use of irrigation facility is free especially in areas below eight hectares. That is a program under the Irrigation Act. However, the use of irrigation facility is not free for those who are tilling above eight hectares of land especially the corporate farms),” he explained.
The irrigation system will benefit two barangays in Pamplona, seven barangays in Tanjay city, and 11 barangays in Bais City.
Brgy. San Jose, Tanjay City Barangay Chair Christine Garit Saguirre is glad that this project will be implemented in their community.
“Nagpasalamat ko ug dako kay nahimo na ang tanan para makalipay ug makaayo sa atong dakbayan. Daghan jud tawo nahinanglan aning proyekto (I am thankful for all their efforts that will bring prosperity in our city. Many people really need this project),” Saguirre said.
She said her barangay has 1,400 households, of which 50 percent are engaged in farming.
The agricultural commodities they produce include sugarcane, vegetables, coconut, banana, and rice.
NIA is expected to complete the construction of the irrigation system by year 2025. (ral/PIA7-NegOr)
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