By PR, J. Jala | 01:23 PM October 29, 2021
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region 7 kicked-off the construction of the P1.537 Billion-worth Bohol Northeast Integrated Irrigation Project (BNIIP) on October 27, 2021 in Barangay Tomoc, San Miguel, Bohol.
This project features the construction of 6 Series of Dams namely: Isumod Diversion Dam, Cambangay Catch Dam, Ipil Diversion Dam, Hinlayagan Ilaya Diversion Dam, Kinan-oan Diversion Dam and Cambangay Diversion Dam in the Municipalities of Danao, San Miguel, Trinidad and Bien Unido, Bohol.
An estimate of 683 farmers in 30 barangays of the mentioned towns of the 2nd District of Bohol will benefit from this initiative as it aims to provide irrigation water supply to 2,133 hectares of rice farm.
This project is expected to increase the irrigated areas, cropping intensity (from 114% to 200%), and rice production of the areas with a goal to provide efficient, reliable, and sustainable irrigation service to the local farmers.
With strict compliance to the IATF Policy in conduction of safe events, NIA Administrator Gen Ricardo R Visaya (Ret) led the Agency’s groundbreaking and capsule laying ceremony.
“Kasabay ng groundbreaking ceremony na ito ang pag-usbong ng pag-asa para sa ating mga magsasaka. Sa loob lamang po ng ilang taong paghihintay na matapos ang proyektong ito, madaragdagan na po ang inyong ani at kita sapagkat may sapat nang patubig para sa inyong mga sakahan,” he said in his message.
NIA’s OIC Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector, Engr. Freddie M. Toquero, also graced the event with his presence along with NIA Region 7 Acting Regional Manager Engr. Reyne B. Ugay and the 6 NIA personnel from PAIS and Admin’s Office of the NIA Central Office.
San Miguel Mayor Virgilio Mendez thanked the agency in his message, especially the NIA Region 7’s outgoing Regional Manager, Engr. Wilson M. Lopez for the irrigation project.
“Just like any other progress, this project came a long long way. From the original Northeast Catch Basin Project Erico B. Aumentado, together with former NIA Administrator Membreve and then Planning and Design Chief Reyne Ugay, and in consultation with then NEDA Planning Undersecretary Rolando G. Tungpalan conceptualized and proposed, it has now become the Northeast Integrated Irrigation Project,” said lawyer Jiselle Rae Villamor who represented 2nd District Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado.
Also present in the event were Governor Arthur Yap, Mayors Virgilio Mendez, Rene Borenage (Bien Unido), Judith Cajes (Trinidad), Jose G. Cepedoza (Danao) and farmer beneficiaries of the project.
The implementing schedule of this project started at 2019 and is expected to be completed in 2027.
