TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Kalinga Irrigation Management Office (KIMO) will implement this year around P153 million worth of projects including the continuing repair of the Upper Chico River Irrigation System (Ucris).
Engr. Jone Duluan of KIMO said P85M will come from the general appropriations fund and the National Irrigation Administration’s regular fund. Another P27.5M will from the Climate Change Fund.
He said P11.5M was also allotted for extension, repair, and restoration of communal irrigation systems, 15M for small irrigation projects, and P13.9M from the Balikatan Sagip Patubig program for construction and provision of canal lining and structures for communal irrigation systems.
The repair of Ucris and other irrigation projects in the province will boost the production of farmers as it ensures at least two cropping seasons.
Ucris can irrigate 6,600 hectares that will benefit farmers not only in Kalinga but also those from Mallig and Quezon in Isabela.
At present, 80.31 percent of the Ucris repair project has been accomplished. The KIMO ordered contractors to finish the repair of critical portions of the main canal of Ucris until Feb. 12, Duluan said.
Water release was originally scheduled last Jan. 31 but the irrigators’ associations agreed with contractors and KIMO management to move the opening of irrigation supply along Ucris to Feb. 15 to pave the way for the completion of remaining repair works on the main canal. – Peter A. Balocnit
April 27, 2024
