LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The National Irrigation Administration-Cordillera turned over a total of nine irrigation projects worth P36 million to different beneficiary irrigators/associations during a simple ceremony on Thursday (April 21) at the Benguet Sports Complex in Wangal, La Trinidad.
NIA administrator Benito Espique, Jr. and Benguet governor Melchor Diclas led the turnover of nine irrigation projects that will serve a total of 205 hectares of farmland and benefit 310 farmers in five municipalities.
The projects were funded by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Provincial Government of Benguet.
The nine projects have a total cost of over P36 million pesos of which P27.9 million came from NIA. The remaining was counter-funded by the Provincial LGU with P8.2 million.
Diclas sent the Provincial Project Monitoring Committee to assess other irrigation projects funded by the same agencies and determine if they are serving well to the end-users. Recommendations were already sent to the contractors for appropriate action.
Meanwhile, Diclas announced the completion of the construction of two new two-story school buildings for the Alternative Learning System (ALS) in Puguis, La Trinidad.
He said the provincial government allotted P3.2 million for the project in response to the needs of the community since the old one-story classroom the community had been using was only made of light materials.
The new building has two classrooms which can accommodate 80-100 students. Learners are being managed on a scheduled basis.
The reconstruction of the ALS school building is expected to benefit many, especially those who are working and are still willing to go back to school regardless of their age.
Every school year, around 200-500 learners are enrolling at the ALS center in Puguis.
Michael Tamiray, District ALS Coordinator of La Trinidad, said their learners do not only come from Puguis, but also from nearby municipalities. Even those working at the trading areas in the province's capital town were admitted to the school.
"We also have senior citizen learners who are motivated to learn and to graduate basic education," Tamiray added.