P137-M Chico River rehab to restore 792 has. rice lands

CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga -- About 792 hectares of rice lands will be restored upon completion of the P137 million rehabilitation of the Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS).

Also, a 7 percent projected increase in production yield will be realized from two cropping a year.

Engr. Noli Sabado of Kalinga Irrigation Management Office (KIMO)   revealed this in an interview saying that 292 hectares will be redeemed from Tabuk area and 500 from Quezon, Isabela area. Total available area for restoration is 4,700 hectares.   

Engineer Patrick Ressurrection, also of KIMO, said the implementation of protection works of canals started this month while other components will be implemented in November during the water cut-off from November 1 to January 15, 2020.

Other project components include canal lining, upgrading of canal embankment and improvement of service road. Areas to be restored include part of Nambaran this city and tail-end areas in Quezon.
 “The restoration project consists of 15 packages awarded to 15 local contractors of Kalinga,” Ressurrection said.

The project is funded under their regular fund.
 NIA in 2013 to 2016 first rehabilitated UCRIS from part of the P425 World Bank loan. (JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga)