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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider DA orders investigation on neglected solar irrigation systems

DA orders investigation on neglected solar irrigation systems

Published Feb 7, 2024 06:20 am

At A Glance

  • The Department of Agriculture (DA) ordered a thorough investigation on the neglected Solar Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS) after a report made by the former agriculture secretary.
  • Manny Pinol posted on Facebook that the systems that were built 4 years ago remained non-functional as they were not given to farmer beneficiaries in Mlang, Cotabato.

Following a recent report on some neglected solar-powered irrigation systems (SPIS), the Department of Agriculture (DA) has ordered an investigation on why some units were not given to farmers.

 

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said on Wednesday, Feb. 7, that a thorough review was ordered after former agriculture secretary Manny Pinol posted about a neglected SPIS in Mlang, Cotabato.

 

The irrigation system, which was completed in 2020, was not turned over to farmer beneficiaries by the local agriculture regional office.

 

Because of this, Tiu Laurel ordered the DA’s regional executive directors (REDs) to investigate with the help of Pinol’s private sector group.

 

Among the directives the agri chief ordered was to assess the functioning SPIS, and evaluate the impact on rice productivity, as well as other factors that contribute to the operation.

 

The Philippine rice industry is currently being affected by the ongoing El Niño crisis and other climate change factors. Similarly, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) logged a 22.6 percent rice inflation for January.

 

Non-working units will be diligently checked to figure out what are the causes of malfunction or abandonment.

 

Lastly, a technical assessment of existing SPIS will be done to conclude a recommendation for the program and make all possible units functional for the farmers.

 

The agriculture sector noted that around 200 units have been built nationwide since the DA banner program.

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Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. IRRIGATION SYSTEM Department of Agriculture
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