BANGUED, Abra(PIA) - -  The National Irrigation Administration Abra Satellite Office is set to turnover 36 Communal Irrigation Systems (CIS) starting this mid-year to some local government units.

This following the implementation of the Mandanas–Garcia ruling and Executive Order 138 on the full devolution of certain functions of the executive branch to local governments and expanding their share in national taxes.

NIA-Abra   Provincial Head Engr. Ronald Bisquerra said the turn-over of the CIS projects or the local infrastructure services is part of the NIA’s transition plan.  Its role after the devolution will be institutional and technical assistance to LGUs.

Bisquerra clarified though that NIA Abra Satellite Office will manage the National River Irrigation System (RIS) projects such as the Abra River Irrigation System, now considered as national RIS, pending the establishment of an Irrigation Management Office (IMO).     Currently, the Abra RIS   is being managed by the NIA-Cordillera office.

In order to establish an IMO, the national RIS should have at least a service area of 3,000 hectares, said Bisquerra.  To date, Abra RIS has only a cumulative service area of 2,010 hectares covering Bangued, Tayum and Pidigan.

NIA Abra Satellite Office is awaiting implementation of other RIS projects that would irrigate farmlands in Peñarrubia, Lagayan, La Paz and Danglas so that if combined with the existing Abra RIS, the aggregate area may reach about 5,000 hectares to meet the requirement for the establishment of an IMO, Bisquerra said. (JDP/SCA-PIA CAR, Abra)