CABARROGUIS, Quirino (PIA) - - To accelerate irrigation development in the province, the National Irrigation Authority-Quirino Irrigation Management Office is focusing on two potential national irrigation projects (NIP) which will be considered as big-ticket irrigation projects for Quirino.

In an interview, Quirino Irrigation Management Division Manager Edison L. Tolentino said the two projects are the proposed Lusod Integrated Irrigation Project (INIP) worth P791,064,843.49 and the proposed Bikibik National Irrigation Project (NIP).

Tolentino said that the final feasibility study of the proposed Lusod INIP was already completed and once approved by the NIA Central Office, the implementation will start next year. 

“The proposed Lusod INIP which is located at Lusod, Maddela will benefit 685 farmer-beneficiaries in nine barangays such as Dipintin, Diduyon, Buenavista, Lusod, North Villa Hermosa, South Villa Hermosa, Abbag Poblacion North, Abbag Poblacion South and Dumabato and with a potential irrigable area of 1,046 hectares,” Tolentino said.

The division manager also said that the main water source of the proposed Lusod INIP is the Cagayan River and a corresponding intake will be constructed at Dipantan, Nagtipunan.

“Lusod INIP has the unanimous support of the farmers in the locality and the unconditional endorsement of the local officials of Maddela as expressed in a resolution submitted by the Sangguniang Bayan to the NIA-Quirino IMO,” Tolentino said.

In the SB resolution, the municipal officials likewise requested for the integration of four existing communal irrigation systems (CIS) to the proposed Lusod project hence, it was named Lusod Integrated National Irrigation Project (INIP). 

The proposed Bikibik National Irrigation Project (NIP) located at Calaocan, Cabarroguis on the other hand is now on its Pre-Feasibility stage and it covers a potential irrigable area of 1,100 hectares with 440 farmer-beneficiaries.

“At present, Quirino IMO technical and survey personnel are gathering technical and socio-agro economic data to ascertain its feasibility and viability as a go-project.  It will integrate the existing Calaocan Communal Irrigation System (CIS), with a service area of 28.81 hectares and 30 farmer-beneficiaries,” Tolentino added. 

The division manager explained that the province has 23,467.63 hectares potential area for irrigation of which 12,563.71 hectares or 53.92% has been developed, the remaining area for irrigation is 10,813.92 hectares or 46.09%. 

“The realization of the two proposed national irrigation projects in Quirino will be a big boost to the Food Self-Sufficiency Program of the government, especially at this time of global economic uncertainty,” Tolentino further said

He said at present, the only existing national irrigation system (NIS) in the province is the Addalam River Irrigation System (ADRIS) covering 13 barangays with a total service area of 2,393.19 hectares within Quirino (Aglipay and Saguday).

“Majority area of ADRIS  serves the municipalities of Echague and Jones, Isabela, with a total of 3,525.62 hectares but its  full operation in 2008 immensely contributed to the rice productivity of Quirino which is now 212% self sufficient as per data from the Department of Agriculture,” Tolentino said.  (MDCT/TCB-PIA with reports from Engr. William Sabug-NIA Quirino)