P32-M SWIP, road in Bulacan inaugurated
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the provincial government of Bulacan led the inauguration of the P12-million Maiboy Small Water Impounding Project (SWIP) and a P20-million 1-kilometer (km) farm-to-market (FMR) road under the DA Rice Program in Barangay Sta. Lucia in Angat town on March 20.
With a structural height of 12 meters (m) and dam length of 125 m, the Maiboy SWIP is expected to irrigate crops planted across 35 hectares covering the food production areas in Barangay Banaban, Sta. Lucia and Binagbag.
The Provincial Agriculture Office of Bulacan played a crucial role in supporting the project by overseeing site identification, validation and endorsement to the DA, where the plans are already in motion for the construction of three additional SWIPs in San Miguel and San Ildefonso 1.
Provincial agriculturist Ma. Gloria Carrillo highlighted the flood control benefits of the Maiboy SWIP, emphasizing its potential to mitigate water peak discharge.
On the other hand, the farmto-market road with a length of 1 km, 5-m wide, and 12-inch thick, will facilitate the transport of commodities, including rice, mangoes, and other high-value commercial crops, lessen travel time and reduce post-harvest losses. This road will benefit approximately 50 farmers from Barangay Sta. Lucia and Binagbag.
Engineer Lester Bacual from the DA RFO3 underscored the importance of the local government’s operation and maintenance plan to ensure the optimal utilization of the project throughout its intended lifespan.
Angat Mayor Reynante Bautista expressed his appreciation to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the provincial government of Bulacan led by Gov. Daniel Fernando and Vice Gov. Alexis Castro, and DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. for their support in bringing to fruition the water impounding project and FMR road that will significantly enhance the livelihood of local farmers.
Castro emphasized that the newly inaugurated structures will not only benefit a select few, but the entire community as a whole.
President Joseph del Rosario of the Prime Farmers Association of Sta. Lucia Inc. and Federation ng Samahan ng mga Magsasaka ng Angat expressed his gratitude to the individuals responsible for the construction of the projects and shared their experiences leading up to the development of the FMR road.
Also present during the inauguration ceremony were agricultural program coordinating officer Memito Luyun 3rd, who represented DA OIC Regional Director Eduardo Lapuz Jr.; engineer Rene Sarmiento and engineer Jowen Erl Nepomuceno from the Department of Public Works and Highways; Vice Mayor Arvin Agustin and his fellow Sangguniang Bayan members Councilors William Vergel de Dios, Darwin Calderon, Evelyn Cruz, Melandro Tigas and Luis Santiago; Municipal Agriculture Office OIC Ira Raya Cruz; and some Angatenyo farmers.