₱3.9M solar-powered irrigation pump to benefit Pangasinan farmers
By Jel Santos
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is set to to turn over a P3.9 million solar-powered irrigation pump (SPIP) to farmers of Laoac, Pangasinan.
In a statement, the agency noted that the SPIP has recently passed the agrarian reform department’s final inspection.
Maria Ana Francisco, DAR Ilocos Regional Director and Concurrent Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II, said the solar-powered facility is scheduled for turnover to the Calmay-Lebueg Farmers Irrigators Association, Inc. this year.
“The facility can irrigate up to 15 hectares of farmland benefitting our ARBs, who are tilling the surrounding area. The irrigation could also greatly contribute in addressing food security in this province,” she noted.
According to Francisco, there are three more SPIP projects nearing completion in the province, which include Barangay Waig in Malasiqui, Barangay Gonzales in Umingan, and Barangay Malimpin in Dasol.
The DAR official said the irrigation pump in Laoac is part of the irrigation component of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, implemented hand in hand by the DAR with the National Irrigation Authority (NIA).
“The DAR Provincial Office was accompanied by the Regional and Central offices of the NIA and the Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee, in inspecting the SPIP along with the recipient-ARB organization,” she went on.
In February, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. said that he intends to raise the quality of solar energy systems and other renewable energy sources in order to lower the Philippines' high electricity prices.