The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, chaired by President Marcos, approved a key irrigation project in northern Luzon that will provide irrigation water and possibly hydroelectrical power to the region.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan during a NEDA Board Meeting. (Malacañang Photo)
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Wednesday, Dec. 18, announced the approval of the implementation of the Ilocos Norte-Ilocos Sur-Abra Irrigation Project (INISAIP) during the 23rd NEDA Board in Malacañan Palace on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
“So, the Ilocos Norte-Ilocos Sur-Abra Irrigation Project is approved by the NEDA Board,” it quoted the President as saying.
Prior to the board meeting, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) made a presentation on the project.
Marcos shared he had been aware of the project since his stint as Ilocos Norte governor, and cited its benefits to the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Abra.
The Chief Executive also pointed out the hydroelectrical power component of the project, fully aware that the previous stumbling block was Abra’s complaint that only Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur would benefit from the project.
But NIA Administrator Eduardo Eddie Guillen assured the NEDA Board that all parties will benefit under the new design of the INISAIP, adding that the power generating components will be put up in the provinces of Abra and Nueva Era.
“Kailangan kasama na sa design iyon. Kahit na hindi sa costing, basta kasama na sa design. Hindi naman natin puwedeng gawin lahat ito tapos lalagyan natin ng hydroelectric afterwards (That needs to be included in the design. Even if not in the costing, but in the design itself. We cannot do all these then suddenly put hydroelectric afterwards),” Marcos explained.
“Kailangan kasama sa umpisa. ‘Pag nagpatayo ng dam nandoon na (It needs to be included from the start. When we build a dam, it should already be there),” he added.
The INISAIP, a locally financed project, includes the construction of an earth and rockfill dam; Nueva Era afterbay dam; and link canals, which will provide irrigation water to several NIA systems.
Once completed, it will irrigate 14,672 hectares during the wet season and 13,256 hectares during the dry season of agricultural lands with the Palsiguan River as the main source of irrigation water.
The project implementation period will be from 2025 to 2030, and it’s expected to benefit 32,604 families.
Meanwhile, the NEDA board also approved the Accelerated Bridge Construction Project for Greater Economic Mobility and Calamity Response (ABC Project), which involves the construction of seven bridges and viaducts to address traffic congestion along priority identified areas.
It also includes 22 calamity response bridges that will serve as alternate access routes during calamities.
“Considering that the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) has already complied with the instructions of the ICC. I think we can go ahead and move to [approve]. Hearing no objections, the Accelerated Bridge Construction Project for Greater Economic Mobility and Calamity Response is approved,” Marcos said.
The project will be under the Official Development Assistance (ODA) at a total cost of P25.681 billion, and is expected to be implemented from January 2025 to December 2029.
According to the PCO, the project will restore efficient connectivity, construct bridges, create permanent composite bridges, and provide bridges for calamity response.