LAOAG CITY, Mar. 17 (PIA) – Farmers from the village of Nagpatayan in Banna, Ilocos Norte were provided with solar-powered irrigation system from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

DAR Secretary Bernie Cruz led the formal turn-over of the solar-powered submersible pump irrigation system under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support (CRFPS) of the agency on March 9.

This project amounting to P856,204.50 will benefit some 200 farmers from the said town and will irrigate a minimum of three to five hectares of farmlands. 

Farmer-beneficiaries of the Nagpatayan Agrarian Reform Cooperative expressed their gratitude to the agency for the timely provision with the fuel crisis at hand being felt nationwide.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa gobyerno dahil binigyan kami ng proyekto na angkop na angkop sa panahon dahil ang Pilipinas ay nasa krisis ng enerhiya,” said Florentino Pitpit, chairperson of the Nagpatayan Agrarian Reform Cooperative.

During the turnover ceremony, Banna Mayor Carlito Abadilla II thanked DAR for the consistent assistance programs given to the farmer-beneficiaries.

“Taon-taon, may dumarating na proyekto ng DAR sa ating bayan kaya naman nagpapasalamat kami sa patuloy na pagbibigay ng technical assistance even provision of materials and equipment, pati na rin ang pagsasaayos ng ating mga kalsada,” said Abadilla.

In his message, Sec. Cruz urged Ilokano farmers to take care of the irrigation facility which will help them in increasing their farm productivity.

Second District of Ilocos Norte Representative Angelo Marcos Barba also attended the said activity and assured DAR that his office is welcome to discuss development programs for the province. (JCR/AMB/MJTAB PIA Ilocos Norte)