Turnover of water project put on hold

THE turnover of the solar-powered irrigation and drinking system in Taraka town, Lanao del Sur was indefinitely postponed due to the 2019 novel coronavirus (Covid-19), according to the Mindanao Development Authority (Minda).

Minda spokesperson Adrian Tamayo said the program is supposed to be launched in the Municipality of Taraka on March 21.

“Big event to, [we were expecting] a 100 or more because it will involve the provincial government and the Taraka LGU (local government unit), partner agencies and private organizations,” he said.

In a statement from Minda, the water project is said to benefit 200 households with a project cost of P20 million investment value and a 25 years loan guarantee.

In separate news, the agency is said to have secured a P100 million loan facility from the Development Bank of the Philippines.

Minda secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Taraka is the first beneficiary of the project in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm).

“[The] livelihood support and solar-powered irrigation and drinking system is total package support to Taraka town, Lanao del Sur. The town is chosen by MinDA as a rural development model,” Tamayo said.

Taraka is also supposed to receive livelihood programs like cattle fattening, goat raising, poultry and egg production, vegetable gardening, sorghum farming.

He said the agency is currently focusing on facilitating concerns on transportation and logistics, and related concerns to ensure sufficient food supply within the areas of Mindanao, island provinces, and Palawan.

“The challenge is on the lockdown implemented by LGUs which barred entry of vehicles transporting supplies. So far, when these concerns reached us, MinDA immediately coordinates with concerned LGUs and the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government), to ensure the proper implementation of the issuances consistent with the national IATF (Interagency Task Force) on Covid-19,” he said.