BANGUED, Abra (PIA) -- Four  irrigation projects recently turned-over to Abrenian farmers  help boost food production in the province.

Arnel Valera, President of the Barangay Binasaran Farmers Irrigators Association Inc. in Malibcong, shared how the irrigation project from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) help  improve their rice production.

“Idi awan pay ti project iti NIA idiay ayan mi ket one cropping kami lang, diay lang tiempo ti panagtutudu. Ngem tatta nga nakadanon ti irrigation nga programa iti NIA, ket kaasi ni Apo, ag-two crops kami metten,” he said.

Valera added that their 30 sacks harvest for one or ¼ hectare per year doubled to 60 sacks because of easier access to water for their crops.

NIA-Cordillera Regional Director Engr. Benito Espique Jr. who led the turn-over of the more than P20 million-worth  irrigation projects benefitting at 149 farmers in four towns of the province, explained that the irrigation projects are in support to food security.

“Our beneficiaries are direct farmers. Itong four irrigation projects are in support of the to the national food production program in terms of irrigation na madagdagan ‘yung farmlands natin and madagdagan iyong production natin,” he said.

Espique with NIA-Abra Satellite Office Provincial Head Engr. Ronald Bisquera and Abra Federation of Irrigators Association President Fr. Fernando turned  over irrigation projects  namely, the Kabiladan Small Irrigation System (SIS) to the Upper Taducan Agabaab Farmers Irrigators Association Inc. in Sabnangan, Luba; the Usong Creek-Lagangilang-Nagtipulan Pawan SIS to the Pawan Nagtipulan Lagangilang Farmers Irrigators Association in Nagtipulan, Lagangilang; the Binasaran SIS to the Barangay Binasaran Farmers Irrigators Association Inc. in Binasaran, Malibcong; and the Villa Mercedes Communal Irrigation System to the Barangay Villa Mercedes Farmers Irrigators Association Inc. in Villa Mercedes, San Quintin.

These projects were received by the Irrigators Associationpresidents who expressed their gratitude and ensure their continuous support to the maintenance of the assistance from the government. They also look forward to more partnerships to improve food production and livelihood in their communities.

During the turn-over ceremony, Espique also disclosed that the region is allocated P70-million for the repair of damaged irrigation systems due to Super Typhoon Egay. Abra, being the hardest hit province, will get the  bulk of the budget for repairs.

“Iva-validate namin yung mga sira na kung maliit ay pagtutulong-tulongan ng mga IAs pero kung malaki at di nila kaya, tutulong kami at ipo-program namin for funding ang mga ito,” he assured.

The province of Abra is allotted P192 million for project implementation under the regular allocation in 2024.(JDP/JJPM-PIA CAR, Abra)