LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) -- The National Irrigation Administration - Cordillera Administrative Region together with the Benguet Provincial Government turned over nine  irrigation projects to Irrigators' Associations (IAs)-beneficiaries  in the municipalities of Buguias, Kapangan, Mankayan, Itogon, and Tuba on April 21.

 These projects are  the Central Liko Baguingey Communal Irrigation System (CIS) which was turned over to the Baguingey-Bawi-Liko Farmers Association Inc., Paykek CIS  to the Paykek Farmers Irrigators Association Inc., Sacburoy CIS  to SSGC Farmers IA Inc., Catlan-Odjao CIS  to  the Balakbak Farmers IA, Inc., Taba-ao CIS  to the Abudick IA Inc., Cobicob CIS  to the Cobicob Farmers IA Inc.), Dalupirip CIS to the Dalupirip Federation of Farmers IA Inc., Baugan Cayapas CIS  to APOBACA IA, and Tanubong Spring - Agaki CIS  to the Agaki Tanubong Agri-Farmers IA Inc.).

Signing of turnover documents was done through the presidents and representatives of the said farmer groups, Governor Melchor Diclas, NIA-CAR Regional Manager Engr. Benito Espique Jr. and witnesses. Certificate of system acceptance was also awarded to the IAs, who shall now be  in charge in the operation and maintenance of these irrigation systems.
 
 In his message, Diclas appealed to the beneficiaries to take care of the projects for their own benefit.  
 
"Aywanan yo daytoy proyekto tanu mausar nga nasiyaat. Nu adda pay ti sumaruno nga kakastoy, mabalin met nga ag-counterpart ti provincial government tapnu umad-adu pay dagitoy irigasyon (Let's take care of these projects and use it properly. If there are other projects like these, the provincial government can provide its counterpart to increase irrigation systems)," Diclas stated.In his message, Diclas appealed to the associations to take care of the projects turned over to them. 

The IA presidents and representatives expressed also their gratitude and they committed to maintain these projects.
 
"Jay operation and maintenance na ket ar-aramiden tayo ti kabaelan tayo tapnu ti kuna da nga 50 years nga biyag daytoy nga project ket manayunan pay kuma (We are doing our best for the operation and maintenance to prolong the 50-year lifespan of the project)," said Baguingey-Bawi-Liko Farmers Association Inc. president Antonio Ciano.

APOBACA Irrigators Association president Jerry Bilanngo also expressed their gratitude for the project but he stated there is still a need for additional funding of such projects to solve the problems of the farmers in the province.

 "Kaasi ti biyag ti farmer ngay. Naynayunan yo ti pondo nga iyimplementar ti National Irrigation Administration tapnu masolbar ti problema ti farmers iti intero nga Kabenguetan," he stressed. Meanwhile, Espique conveyed his hopes that the provincial government will continue to support other projects of the NIA to help the farmers of the province.

"Daytoy ti maysa nga idawdawat mi especially the provincial government nga suportaran dakami ladta, in terms of the funding," he appealed.
 
Said projects are under the Balikatan Sagip Patubig Program funded from 2018, 2019, and 2020 through the partnership of the NIA and the local government unit. The NIA had a total counterpart of P27.9 million while the LGU counterpart is P8.2 million. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)