5 Ilocos Norte major irrigation systems to undergo rehab

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

Finally, after a decade of waiting, Ilocos Norte farmers see a ray of hope of doubling or even tripling their source of income once a stable supply of water reaches their farmlands.

Ask every farmer what are their immediate concerns and they would always point to water—enough water to nurture their crops and ensure food security to their families on all-year round basis.

In Ilocos Norte, at least five national irrigation systems built in the 1980s covering the streams of Papa, Madongan, Labogaon, Cura and Solsona are waiting for a long-term repair and rehabilitation.

The effect of climate change, forest denudation and landslides among others had contributed to silted rivers and shallow irrigation systems, said Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Albert Chua, in his capacity as chairperson of the committee on agriculture.

Responding to farmers’ woes, a resolution was passed at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan requesting the Department of Agriculture through Secretary Proceso J. Alcala to send a team or to personally inspect the state of the five national irrigations systems here and allocate funds for their immediate rehabilitation.

According to Chua, there had been efforts by the national and local governments to repair water distribution canals here, including establishment of small water impounding projects but there is a need to conserve more water particularly in times of drought.

It may be recalled that it was only in 2010 when the government started to pour in rehabilitation funds for these irrigation systems with critical watershed areas and its old design may no longer be relevant for today’s extreme weather condition.

Early next year, the DA is expected to visit Ilocos Norte and come up with an action plan for its rehabilitation project.

Prior to the passage of the resolution, an initial talk between the provincial government and the DA was held in Batac City at a farmers’ forum where Ilocos Norte Gov. Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos reiterated the need for the urgent repair and rehabilitation of this province’s major irrigation systems, the lifeblood of farmers.

Comments

Free dormitories eyed for Nueva Era students in LC, Batac

Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Nueva Era , Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here, headed by Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida is planning to establish dormitories in the cities of Laoag and Batac that will exclusively cater to college students from the said cities. “Sapay la kuma ta maituloyen iti mabiit tay ar-arapaapen tayo ken iti munisipyo a maipatakderan kuma dagiti annak tayo a college students nga agbasbasa idiay siyudad iti Batac ken Laoag iti libre a dormitoryo a bukod da ngem inggana nga awan pay ket an-anusan mi paylaeng nga ibaklay kenni apo bise mayor iti pagbayad da iti kasera aggapu iti bukod mi a suweldo malaksid dagitay it-ited iti munisipyo ken iti barangay nga stipend da kada semester, ” Garvida said. Garvida added that the proposed establishment of dormitories would be a big help to the students’ parents as this would shoulder the expenses of their children for rent and likewise they would feel more secured

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become an annua

P29 per kilo rice sold to vulnerable groups in Ilocos region

BBM RICE. Residents buy rice for only PHP29 per kilo at the NIA compound in San Nicolas town, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. The activity was under a nationwide pilot program of the government to sell quality and affordable rice initially to the vulnerable sectors. (Lei Adriano) San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte —Senior citizens, persons with disability, and solo parents availed of cheap rice sold at PHP29 per kilogram during the grand launching of the Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) Rice held at the National Irrigation Administration compound in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. “ Maraming salamat Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa inyong pagmamahal sa Region 1 lalong-lalo na sa bayan namin sa San Nicolas,” said Violeta Pasion, a resident Brgy. 18 Bingao in this town. The low-priced grains were sourced from the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) contract farming with irrigators' association members in the province. Along with Pasion, Epi

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog