TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS) water cut-off will push through from May 1 to 30 to pave way for the rehabilitation of the main canal, laterals, and other work components.
Kalinga Irrigation Management Office (KIMO) Acting Manager, Engr. Leonardo Lamangan, said the P50 million Upper Chico River Irrigation System rehabilitation works will be implemented within the 30-day cut-off. Irrigation service will resume on June 1 with a synchronized start of the second cropping.
“This is a yearly cut-off for rehab works along the system up to Quezon, Isabela to include oiling of steel gate (turn-out) and putting anti-rust on gate valves,” Lamangan said.
He added the rehab works also pave the way for synchronized start of the second cropping in June so that they will all harvest in September or October, he added.
The synchronized start of the wet cropping is also in time for the Department of Agriculture’s distribution of palay seeds to farmers.
The cut-off will also facilitate the construction of a bridge project by the Department of Public Works and Highways at Bulo, crossing the UCRIS canal.
Meanwhile, the repair of the damaged Chico Siphon manhole steel plate that burst on March 13 causing temporary water cut-off along the system was restored on March 16 and UCRIS resumed irrigation supply to its coverage area.
Lamangan also said KIMO is rehabilitating communal irrigation systems provincewide with a total cost of P37 million and targets to complete repair works by year-end. – Peter A. Balocnit
April 24, 2024
