CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) - - The National Irrigation Administration - Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MARIIS) started releasing its stored water from Magat dam for irrigation purposes for dry cropping season.

The release of water for irrigation started on October 17, 2022 and is now being monitored by employees of NIA-MRIIS in the irrigation canals down to rice farms.

It can be recalled that the water service delivery was temporarily suspended in the previous weeks after the wet cropping season to give time for the NIA - MARIIS management for the conduct of maintenance activities of its irrigation canals.

NIA-MARIIS Department Manager Gileu Michael Dimoloy said that they have conducted maintenance activities of irrigation canals through canal clearing, lubricaiton of machineries, repair of gates and several other maintenance activities to ensure a free flow of water down to the rice fields.

“Our irrigation canals are now ready to commence the release for irrigation water purposes, our operations personnel, area supervisors, water resource facility officers and technicians continue to monitor their respective areas,” Dimoloy said.

Dimoloy has called on all rice farmers to follow the cropping calendar and actively participate on activities of irrigators association so that the schedule of cropping season will be followed accordingly.

He also advised rice farmers to use the irrigation water wisely to avoid spillage for more rice harvest. (MDCT/MGE/PIA Isabela)