MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) 1 (Ilocos Region) has completed 61.8 percent of its 155 infrastructure projects for 2024 as of October 15.
NIA-1 manager, engineer Danilo Gomez, during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum on Tuesday, said the agency was allocated PhP 5.25 billion for these projects.
These projects include new areas for irrigation with 113 hectares accomplished out of the target 216 hectares; restored irrigation areas at 777.94 hectares out of the target 936.44 hectares; lined canal at 33.9 km. out of the target 48.72 km.; 118 units of canal structures out of the target 168; and 1.73 km. concrete roads completed out of the target 1.84 km.
One of the major infrastructure projects is the construction of a PhP 1.33 billion high-rise dam in Barangay Portic in Bugallon town, Pangasinan that will benefit agricultural lands in nine villages.
The zone earth-fill dam, called the Dumoloc Small Reservoir Project measuring 40 m. in height, 300 m. in crest length, and 11 m. in crest width that will fill 230 meters width across the Dumoloc River, is 50 percent accomplished.
It has a spillway along its side and includes the construction of 4, 340 km. of access road with 10 m. width and irrigation facilities to supply the existing Dumoloc irrigation system. It is targeted to be finished by April 2026.
Gomez said the project would benefit about 1, 484 farmers from the villages of Umanday, Laguit Centro, Poblacion, San Francisco, Hacienda, Cayangan, Portic, Salomague Sur, and Salomague Norte.
He said another infrastructure project ready for implementation is the San Felipe small reservoir irrigation project worth PhP 1.85 billion.
“It is the construction of a zoned earth-fill dam in San Juan La Union,” he said.
The project, set to be implemented from 2025 to 2029, will have a dam that is 38 m. high and 301 m. long.
It is expected to provide irrigation, aquaculture, and service roads.
Gomez said there are also proposed projects with ongoing feasibility studies, such as the PhP 9.02 billion, 95.5-m. rockfill dam and appurtenant structures in Mabini town, Pangasinan; the PhP 362 million pumping station and appurtenant structures in Bayambang town, Pangasinan; the PhP 1.58 billion 39.5-m. zoned earth-fill dam and appurtenant structures in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte; and the 91-m. high rockfill embankment dam in Pacalat Mangatarem, Pangasinan.
He said developed areas in the region measure 159, 637 hectares but 123, 957.95 hectares can still be developed. (PNA)