1993.3 M NIA starts construction of Iloilo irrigation system

Costing

An irrigation system, which would cost nearly a billion to built, is now being constructed at Nueva Invencion Village in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.

Once completed, the location of the irrigation system will be converted into an agro-tourism area.

A statement showed the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) already inaugurated the 1993.3-million Barotac Viejo Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (Barotac Viejo SRIP).

Barotac Viejo SRIP, whose water sources come from Barotac Viejo River, includes the construction of zoned earthfill dam and its appurtenant structures which is expected to provide timely and reliable irrigation service to 2,050 hectares of agricultural lands.

The project includes the generation of 265 hectares of newly irrigable areas, 459 hectares of rehabilitated areas, and 1,326 hectares of restored areas, benefitting 1,171 farmers and their families.

It is also expected to provide other incidental benefits such as flood control, watershed management, fish culture, and agro-tourism.

Areas that will benefit from the project include the villages of California, La Fortuna, Natividad, Sto. Domingo, Bugnay, San Miguel, San Antonio, San Geronimo, San Lucas, Vista Alegre, and Dela Peña in the Municipality of Barotac Viejo, and Merced, Carmelo, Talokgangan, Bariga Magdalo, and Libertad in the Municipality of Banate.

Meanwhile, NIA Regional Manager Gerardo P. Corsiga said the Barotac Viejo reservoir needs at least six to eight months to for it to be filled with water.

“A little more sacrifice and this reservoir will finally provide a year-round water supply,” Corsiga said.

As part of the inauguration, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to conduct a study on the proposed agrotourism site within the Barotac Viejo SRIP vicinity was also forged by NIA, Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources, Department of Tourism, and the Local Government Units (LGUs).

“This project is a fruit of NIA’s modernization and innovation feat. Barotac Viejo SRIP is investing in the well-being of its farmer-beneficiaries. It is investing in social development as an agro-tourism site where people can find relaxation and enjoyment. It is investing on those aspects which will improve the quality of life of people who live within the ambit of the project,” NIA Administrator Ricardo Visaya said.