The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has inaugurated two irrigation projects – with a combined construction cost of P300 million funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Both projects – the newly rehabilitated P168.773-million Madongan River Irrigation System (RIS) and P131.292-million Solsona River Irrigation System (RIS) – are both in the Province of Ilocos Norte.
The Madongan RIS and Solsona RIS are under the National Irrigation Sector Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (NISRIP) funded by the Japanese Government through JICA.
The rehabilitated and improved Madongan RIS, with a Firmed-Up Service Area (FUSA) of 2,027 hectares, covers the municipalities of Dingras and Marcos, supplying ten barangays with eight irrigators associations.
The Solsona RIS, with a firmed-up service area (FUSA) of 1,340 hectares, covers the municipalities of Solsona and Dingras, supplying nine barangays with five Irrigators Associations.
NIA Acting Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Freddie M. Toquero led the recently held inauguration and turnover ceremony in behalf of the NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya.
Present also in the event were Embassy of Japan H.E. Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko and representatives of JICA headed by Chief Representative Azukizawa Eigo.
Meanwhile, NIA also recently inaugurated and turned over the completed Lumbaan-Bicbica Small Irrigation in Ilocos Norte.
The Lumbaan-Bicbica SIP was constructed under the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte through Presidential Directive No. 2020-0034 for Solar-Powered Irrigation System under GAA 2020.
This has a service area of 25 hectares and will benefit at least 20 cotton farmer-beneficiaries primarily from the town of Pinili, Ilocos Norte.
“Aside from the development, construction, operation, and maintenance of irrigation systems nationwide, NIA ventures in renewable energy development. As part of Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya’s innovation and modernization platform, NIA maximizes its full potential to develop hydroelectric power and solar projects,” NIA said.
The Lumbaan-Bicbica SIP is NIA’s first irrigation project for cotton production. This is in support of the continued preservation and practice for the weaving industry in Pinili, Ilocos Norte where the Gamaba Cultural Center in honor of the 97-year old Magdalena Gamayo, an Inabel Weaver is located.