NIA turns over 5 irrigation systems to Ifugao groups

NIA-CAR regional manager Benito Espique, Jr. turns over documents of completed irrigation system in Ifugao to Irrigators’ Association Municipal Federation president Mateo Bernardo while NIA Ifugao provincial head Patrick Resurreccion, lawyer Edmond Kindipan of the office of Rep. Solomon Chungalaoand Tinoc Mayor Samson Benito witness the ceremony August 12 at Tinoc municipal gym. 

TINOC, Ifugao—Five irrigation systems in this municipality will now be operated and maintained by organized irrigators’ associations after the National Irrigation Authority turned over these systems to them in a simple ceremony here at the municipal gymnasium in Poblacion on August 12.
    With a total project cost of P 23.3 million, these completed irrigation projects are now irrigating 96 hectares with 199 farmer-beneficiaries.
    “We trust that the Irrigators’ Associations officers and members will work together for the efficient operation and maintenance of these irrigation systems turned over to them and contribute to the productivity of the municipality of Tinoc as it is one of the producers of quality high value crops,” NIA Cordillera Administrative Region regional manager Benito Espique, Jr. said.
    These communal irrigation systems are in Tandagen Nantakan in Poblacion which was turned over to Poblacion Tinek Irrigators and Fisherfolks Association Inc., Kaduyungan Creek-Kaduyungan and Inlimog, Wangwang which were turned over to     Wangwang Irrigators Association Inc.
    Meanwhile, the Pulag River-Ahin Pula Nambaging SIS in Barangay Ahin was turned over to Ahin Irrigators and Fisherfolks Association Inc., while the Manaan River-Luhong CIS in Barangay Luhong was turned over to Manaan Irrigators and Fisherfolks Association Inc.
     IA Municipal Federation president Mateo Bernardo expressed gratitude for the completion of the projects and urged his fellow irrigators to follow guidelines in operation and maintenance of the irrigation systems.
    Meanwhile, engineer Patrick Resurreccion, provincial head of NIA Ifugao, urged irrigators associations to maintain the watersheds and communal forests in the municipality to help sustain irrigation water.
    Ifugao Rep. Solomon Chungalao, through his representative lawyer Edmond Kindipan, assured support of his office and is working with local officials towards the betterment of Ifugao.

With agriculture as the main livelihood in the area, he said some farm-to-market roads are about to start construction and appealed for cooperation of everyone especially in settlement of rights-of-way.

With the many calamities that ravage the region, Tinoc Mayor Samson Benito urged the irrigators’ associations to report immediately to his office or to the NIA damages in irrigation for validation.

The activity was attended by Tinoc Vice Mayor Fernando Gapuz and barangay officials.