NIA sets aside P1 B for new irrigation systems

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is allocating P1 billion for the construction of new irrigation systems to cover more agricultural areas nationwide.

NIA recently approved the construction of the P632million Bulo Earthfill dam in Bulacan and the P370-million diversion dams under the existing Aklan River Irrigation System (ARIS) in Panay Island.

Under the small reservoir irrigation project, the Bulo earthfill dam and its appurtenant structures will be built by Nueva Ecija-based Lorenzo Construction and Development Corp.

Located in San Miguel in Bulacan, the irrigation project will cover 570 hectares of agricultural lands in the area.

NIA also gave the green light for the construction of diversion dams of the Aklan river irrigation system.

The irrigation project will generate an additional 594 hectares of new areas to the existing service area of 3,916 hectares being irrigated by the ARIS and will benefit ad- ditional seven municipalities in the province.

Both projects are locallyfunded under the General Appropriations Act of 2018. The agency has an approved budget of P41.66 billion for this year.

The Bulo Earthfill contract will be effective for four years while the Aklan project has a contract good for two years upon the release of the notice to proceed.