BWD ups water supply in Baguio western sites

By Mark Victor Pasagoy

BAGUIO CITY — Baguio Water District consumers supplied under Area 3 now have improved water supply schedules as the summer capital’s lone public water utility recently started operation of the BWD Gibraltar parallel deep well.
Around 3,000 active connections in the western side of the city particularly accounts serviced in Zones 4 and 5, including nearby areas are starting to enjoy an average of three to four times-a-week water schedule from twice a week effective Oct. 26.
    Upon full activation, the newly activated Gibraltar deep well will be utilized to reduce the load of the BWD Busol Tiptop deepwell and Pacdal source which caters to the water needs in areas including Pacdal, Ambuclao, Gibraltar, North Outlook Drive, Leonardwood, and Navy Base, among others.
    The utilization of the new deep well will result to an improved filling of the Ambiong and Lovena tanks which equates to an extended diversion time of water supplied to portions of Upper General Luna, Assumption Road, and Session Road.
BWD general manager engineer Salvador M. Royeca said this was due to BWD’s commitment to improve its facilities, render efficiency in operations, and satisfy water needs of its customers, both residential and commercial establishments.
    To expand its water supply areas, preparation of a job order for expansion of distribution lines along Purok 4 East Gibraltar and Modesta-Mines View is being arranged to accommodate deferred new water service connection applications there.
Earlier in September this year, BWD addressed the water supply concerns in the Old Lucban-Dizon Subdivision-Quezon Hill-Pinsao areas after completing augmentation projects that interconnected the BWD Sanggalang tank and Pinsao-2 pumping station.
    In April 2023, the District improved the water supply in Pinget, Pinsao, Fairview, Magsaysay, Quirino Hill, and Tam-awan after completing the pipeline interconnection project from the BWD Malvar deepwell.
Apart from the recently commissioned Gibraltar parallel deep well, BWD also expects operation of Zig-Zag production well along Kennon Road, Camp 7, before the end of 2023.
    Royeca said customers BWD will hasten ongoing projects for water supply improvement in anticipation of El Niño next year.
    Meanwhile, customers were urged to continue observing water conservation practices which included use of bucket and dipper instead of shower heads during bath, use of a glass or a tumbler when brushing teeth, using basins when washing dishes instead of letting water run in an open faucet, recycling laundry water for watering plants and cleaning the surroundings among others. Rainwater harvesting, if possible, was likewise advised to lessen the consumption of treated water supplied by BWD.
    Residents, who have concerns regarding their water supply are advised to contact the BWD office for immediate action at any of the following 24/7 hotline numbers; (074) 442-3218, (074) 442-4929, 09088651504, 09176794929, 09228409765, leave a message via Facebook messenger @baguiowaterdistrict, or send an email to baguiowaterdistrictgmo@gmail.com.
 

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Pangasinan to provide Coast Guard resources

By Gabriel Cardinoza

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- The provincial government announced on Monday, Oct. 9, it was ready to provide resources to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to help protect the West Philippine Sea.
    "Gov. [Ramon] Guico had decided that we provide a space, or perhaps a hangar for the PCG Aviation Force when we finish the construction of an airport in Bolinao [town]," said Vice Gov. Mark Ronald Lambino.
    That way, Lambino said, there would be a nearby PCG air unit that could monitor the West Philippine Sea and the coastal waters of western Pangasinan.
    The nearest Pangasinan airport to the West Philippine Sea is located in this capital town, but it can only accommodate small airplanes because it has a short runway.
    "It is also timely that we received a copy of a resolution from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) of Aurora province urging the different sanggunian in the country to express collective support for the national government's effort in protecting the West Philippine Sea," said Lambino.
    Last month, Guico said the provincial government would build an airport in Bolinao to boost the town's economy and tourism industry.
    Bolinao remains Pangasinan's top tourism site because of its white sand beaches, majestic waterfalls, and popular resorts, but it can only be accessed from Metro Manila through a five- to six-hour drive.
    Lambino said he had not been informed yet of the airport's exact location, but he said the runway would be about 2,000 meters long, enough for an Airbus 330 to land.
    The airport is expected to be completed next year.
    During its regular session on Monday, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution to formally inform the PCG of the provincial government's plan to provide them with resources.
    The resolution will also be sent to the Office of the President and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
    Last Wednesday, October 4, in a special session, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan also passed a resolution expressing "a deep sense of sadness" over the death of three fishermen from Subic in Zambales province after their boat was accidentally rammed by a commercial ship in the open sea.
 

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Typhoon Egay replenishes Baguio’s water reserves

BAGUIO CITY -- Super typhoon “Egay” unleashed enough amount of rain to replenish this city's dwindling water reserves.
Baguio Water District General Manager Salvador Royeca reported improved water level status in two of the city’s biggest water sources – the Busol Rainwater Harvesting Facility and the Sto. Tomas Rain Basin.
    For instance in the Sto. Tomas Rain Basin, the water level reading reached 8.91 meters on July 26, 2023, Royeca said.
    This rose to 9.74 meters at 12 p.m of July 27 and to P10.70 meters as of 3 p.m. July 28.
Royeca relayed the positive development to Mayor Benjamin Magalong who welcomed the good news.
     The BWD manager told the mayor that the current waterline would be ample enough to augment the city’s water requirement until next year when the El Nino phenomenon is expected to persist.
     “The current water mark is a high enough considering that the basin’s spill level is 12 meters.  Egay is also a blessing,” Royeca said.
     The water firm and the city had been preparing for the El Nino phenomenon projected to linger until next year threatening to cause acute shortage of water in the city.
     Royeca also shared updates on their water resources development and supply augmentation programs particularly the commissioning of the new Zigzag and Gibraltar deep wells, drilling of two boreholes soon in Richwood and South Drive areas, bidding of two more sites in Montinola and Bakakeng areas and the completion of the drilling of the artificial recharging well at Burnham Park.
     “We intend to drill 10 wells for our summer operation including the suspended CAAP site. Our program is to have 10 wells per year as part of our medium-term solution to improve our production capacity.  Also, the installation of augmentation lines to supply areas with no viable source is either ongoing or awarded to our contractor.  For the information of everyone,” Royeca said.
     At present, the BWD has a total of 46,726 active connections being supplied by its 77 pumping stations, 63 deep wells, 4 open/spring sources and 2 rainwater harvesting facilities.  

 

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Charges set vs Buyog watershed occupants

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- Mayor Benjamin Magalong warned that the city government will file charges against occupants of the Buyog watershed who violated  agreements to refrain from further constructions and expansions to protect what is left of the endangered forest reserve.
    The mayor said they are now counter checking the status of the structures within the watershed by comparing the present digital map with the previous survey done on the area.
    This will enable the city and partner agencies to determine if there were new structures added and if there were expansions and improvements introduced by the occupants and take action against the violators.
    The mayor said there were suspicions that even the fence was moved to accommodate expansions but this was belied by the City Building Official Arch. Johnny Degay of the Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO).
    Degay told the mayor that there was no movement of the fence but as per report from the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) personnel who have been monitoring the area, there were constructions or improvements that had crept up near the fence or the easement previously set.
    He said investigations are ongoing to identify the culprits.
    The Forest Protection Unit of the Environment Management Division (EMD) of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) under Atty. Rhenan Diwas is also regularly monitoring and assisting in the inventory of present structures inside the watershed protected area.
    The team is conducting a series of comprehensive meetings with the barangays involved as well scrutiny of the watershed lay-out.
    Buyog ,is a 20-hectare forest reservation as per Proclamation 93, is one of the four major sources of water in the city aside from Sto. Tomas, Busol and Camp 8.  It supplies water to the Buyog area including Camdas, Dizon, Pinget and Quirino Hill barangays.
    A large portion of the watershed is now inhabited by residents from Pinget, Quirino Hill and other barangays straddled by the forest reserve. Efforts to abate squatting at the reservation peaked in the 1990s when illegal structures were demolished by authorities but the intruders kept on returning, prompting the Baguio Regreening Movement (BRM) and the Baguio-Benguet Medical Society with the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources and the Baguio Water District to spearhead the fencing of the unoccupied portion to ward off further intrusion and prevent expansion of the shanties.
    In 2016, the city government, DENR and BWD entered a memorandum of agreement with the occupants to protect and and preserve what remains of the forest reservation as a requisite to the planned disposition for housing purposes of the occupied areas.
    As per the MOA, the DENR-Cordillera will conduct a survey of the actual occupied areas of the watershed and upon identification of the inhabited portion, the occupants will not expand into the unoccupied areas and will undertake measures to help protect the watershed from intrusion by squatters.
    The agreement also mandated the occupants to maintain their structures for residential purposes and will undertake an annual tree-planting program to reforest what remains of the watershed.
    The City, through the City Buildings and Architecture Office, will design a water-tight waste water disposal system, which will be adopted by the residents to protect the watershed from contamination.
    The City Government, DENR and the BWD then posed no objection to the segregation of the occupied areas from the coverage of Proclamation 93 but stressed the protection of the remaining unoccupied portion is paramount.

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4 rescued from boat in waters off Cagayan

COAST GUARD of Santa Ana rescue the four crew members of MB Kiray, which was swamped with water near Palaui Island in Santa Ana town, Cagayan Monday, March 20. -- PCG-District North East Luzon photo

 

By Villamor Visaya Jr.

TUGUEGARAO CITY–Four people were rescued at sea after their boat was swamped with water in Cagayan province, the local Coast Guard station said Tuesday, March 21.
    According to a report from the Coast Guard District North East Luzon, the boat–MB Kiray–was found adrift in the waters off Palaui Island in Cagayan’s Santa Ana town on Monday afternoon.
    Citing the boat crew’s account, the Coast Guard said the boat was on its way to Babuyan Claro when a five-foot-long dolphin accidentally hit its starboard bow, causing the boat to nearly sink.
    The crew removed their cargo and threw it into the water to keep the boat afloat.
    Coast Guard personnel from Santa. Ana substation responded to the distressed boat after receiving information from fisherman Mervin Pablo, who spotted the boat.
    All four aboard the MB Kiray were brought to safety, the Coast Guard said.

 

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Despite protests, Chico River P4.3-B irrigation inaugurated

The Chico River Pump Irrigation Project in Kalinga during its initial construction phase in this file photo taken in 2020 from the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines. 

By Vince Jacob Visaya

PINUKPUK, Kalinga – Despite protests from indigenous people, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and Chinese officials inaugurated the P4.373-billion Chico River Pump Irrigation Project here at Barangay Katabbogan on June 25.
    NIA Administrator Ricardo Visaya, who led the opening, said the Chico River pump project will irrigate 8,700 hectares (ha) in Cagayan (7,539 ha in Tuao and Piat) and part of Kalinga (1,170 ha in Pinukpuk) benefitting 4,992 farmers and their families.
    The construction of the project started in 2018 through the China CAMC Engineering Corp.
    "Finally, this will enhance the productivity of farms being planted by farmers in Cagayan and Kalinga provinces," he said.
    The flagship infrastructure project was financed by the People's Republic of China through the China Export-Import Bank under President Duterte's Build, Build, Build program.
    The project encountered opposition that delayed its progress following complaints from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in 2019 that their consent was not obtained.
    NCIP officials also complained that the main beneficiaries are residents in Cagayan Valley but the source of water for the irrigation project comes from the Chico River along upstream Kalinga.
    They had feared that the water stock would be lessened as Kalinga farmers also use the water to irrigate their farms.
    The NCIP also complained of earth-moving activities at the pump house site during the construction period.
    A certification precondition from the NCIP was then asked to be issued as NIA and China contractors had complied with the requirements.
    The Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) of the Cordillera Regional Development Council visited the Chico River Pump Irrigation site implemented by the NIA on Aug. 23, 2018, to validate various claims concerning the project. The RPMC then held a joint meeting with their counterpart in Region 2. This visit was a result of agreements made on July 12, 2018 by the joint task force composed of the Regional Development Council committees on Indigenous Peoples Concerns and Infrastructure Development to gather information and address concerns on the project.
    Then RPMC chairwoman and NEDA-CAR regional sirector Milagros Rimando led the conduct of a meeting with the community elders to validate the various issues such as the lack of consultations and hiring of Chinese workers, among others.
    During that meeting, the RPMC confirmed consultations conducted by NIA Region 2 and the Kalinga Provincial Office of the NCIP with the affected communities were done properly.
    "The elders acknowledged the role of NCIP in helping resolve issues pertaining to the project," Rimando added in a Neda report posted on its website.
    The community leaders and elders gave assurance that there were consultations done by the DENR in connection with the issuance of an Environmental Compliance Certificate. The households in the affected community were also paid disturbance compensation for the duration of the project. Other concerns raised by the elders included the suggestion to prioritize locals in employment as there are plenty of skilled workers from Kalinga, and urged the NIA, as project owner and implementer, to look into the earth spoils being dumped along with adjacent farms and river banks.
 

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104 irrigation projects finished in Cordillera

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The National Irrigation Administration-Cordillera has completed a total of 104 irrigation projects, bringing brighter hopes to thousands of farmers in the province and a big contribution to the government’s food security efforts.
    NIA regional manager Engr Benito Espique, Jr. said that with the completion of 104 projects, a total of 8,712 farmers stand to benefit and generate a total of 5,319 jobs.
    The completed projects are equivalent to 88 percent of the total 122 NIA had programmed in 2021. Its total budget allocation for the projects is P1.009 billion.
    In 2021, the agency developed 813 hectare of new areas and restored 1,180 hectares for a total of 1,993.38 hectares from the provinces of Benguet, Abra, Kalinga, Apayao, Ifugao and Mt.Province.
    Other completed works include 18.64 kilometers of canal lining and 8.88 kms. pipeline.
    Espique rallied all stakeholders, especially irrigators farmer’s associations, to take care of the irrigation systems, stressing its contribution to the economy in terms of agricultural production in support of the government’s effort to achieve food security.
    Espique’s call came during his inspections on various projects and their turnover to irrigator associations in different areas in the region.
    Completed irrigation projects as per fund include Establishment of Groundwater Pump Irrigation Project (EGPIP); Repair of Groundwater Pump Irrigation Project (RGPIS); Balikatan Sagip Patubig Program (BSPP); Extension/Expansion of Existing Communal Irrigation System (EEECIS); Small Irrigation Project (SIP); Restore/Repair/Rehabilitation of Existing Communal Irrigation System (RRRCIS), among others.
    Mountain Province posted the biggest number of completed projects with 35; Benguet 23; Ifugao 16; Kalinga 11; Abra 10 and Apayao 9.
    Moreover, for Irrigtion Engineering Center( IEC) Monitored Projects, the agency has completed four projects of Climate     Change Adaptation Works –National Irrigation System (CCAW-NIS).
    The Marimay Small Reservoir Irrigation Project has also been completed while four were completed in the so-called Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Project (CARP) component.
    For the 2022 irrigation program, the government has allocated P1.973 billion for NIA-CAR to fund its 197 programmed irrigation projects, develop 3,905 hectares of new areas, and the restoration of 507.25 ha.
    From the total allocation, Kalinga has the biggest share with P604,900 followed by Apayao (P535,200);Ifugao (P344,200); Abra (P259,600); Mt. Province (P124,549); and Benguet (P104,700).
    Other works include the repair and rehabilitation; concreting of line canal (21.36km); canal structures (111); and piping (30.80kms).

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P60-M drainage to curb Strawberry Farm floods

By Liza Agoot  

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The municipal government sees an end to the flooding problem that besets the strawberry farm here, with the completion of a P60 million drainage project. 
    Mayor Romeo Salda said according to the Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the project would be completed before the end of the second quarter in 2022. 
    The project involves installation of 200 meters of pipes that will drain the water from the strawberry farm, locally known as "swamp", which has become a persistent problem every rainy season. 
    Salda said the project was a result of a feasibility study conducted by Hedcor, Inc., a subsidiary of the Aboitiz Group, which operates several mini- and micro-hydroelectric power plants in Northern Luzon, mostly in Cordillera. 
    "It was supposed to be Hedcor that will fund the project but when we presented it, but the DPWH adapted the project and allotted funds for its implementation," he said. 
    Salda shared that water from the Bolo Creek, which traverses the strawberry farm and drains into the Gayasi Creek, is overpowered by the larger volume of water coming from the Balili River. 
    "The water is pushed back to Bolo Creek that causes flood at the strawberry farm," he said in Ilocano. "The drainage project will address the flooding. It is currently being implemented." 
    The strawberry farm is a wide flat area at the town's center. Owned by Benguet State University, it has become a popular destination for tourists who could pick the strawberries themselves and pay for them at the end of their visit. -- PNA 
 

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P60-M drainage to curb flooding in LT strawberry farm

FLOOD PROBLEM -- The persistent problem of flooding in the strawberry farm in La Trinidad will soon be a thing of the past with the installation of a P60 million tunnel drainage system. La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda said Oct. 22  the project is expected to be completed second quarter of 2022. -- PNA photo by Liza Agoot

By Liza Agoot  

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The municipal government sees an end to the flooding problem that besets the strawberry farm here, with the completion of a PHP60 million drainage project. 
    Mayor Romeo Salda, in a phone interview on Friday, said according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the project would be completed before the end of the second quarter in 2022. 
    The project involves the installation of 200 meters of pipes that will drain the water from the strawberry farm, locally known as "swamp", which has become a persistent problem every rainy season. 
    Salda said the project was a result of a feasibility study conducted by Hedcor, Inc., a subsidiary of the Aboitiz Group, which operates several mini- and micro-hydroelectric power plants in Northern Luzon, mostly in the Cordillera region. 
    "It was supposed to be Hedcor that will fund the project but when we presented it, the DPWH adopted the project and allotted funds for its implementation," he said. 
    Salda shared that water from the Bolo Creek, which traverses the strawberry farm and drains into the Gayasi Creek, is overpowered by the larger volume of water coming from the Balili River. 
    "The water is pushed back to Bolo Creek that causes flood at the strawberry farm," he said in Ilocano. "The drainage project will address the flooding. It is currently being implemented." 
    The strawberry farm is a wide flat area at the town's center. Owned by Benguet State University, it has become a popular destination for tourists who could pick the strawberries themselves and pay for them at the end of their visit. -- PNA 

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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.

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San Roque Dam hits critical level

By Eva Visperas

SAN MANUEL, Pangasinan -- The San Roque Dam here has not released water for irrigation since July 15 due to low water level.
    In an advisory released recently, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) said there was also no generation of the contracted power capacity of 115 megawatts by the San Roque Power Corp. (SRPC).
    “This unwanted situation may prevail until sufficient amount of rainfall will occur at the San Roque Dam watershed,” the NIA said.
    Tom Valdez, SRPC vice president for corporate affairs, said the dam’s water level was at 225.40 meters above sea level, which was not sufficient to generate power.
    Power generation will resume as soon as the water level rises, Valdez said, adding that rains brought by tropical storm Fabian irrigated the farms.
    A similar situation happened in 2007 when the reservoir elevation dropped to 225.42 meters.
 

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San Roque dam hits critical level

By Eva Visperas

SAN MANUEL, Pangasinan — The water elevation at the San Roque Power Corp. (SRPC) dam here has dropped to 227 meters, which is considered very alarming, according to an official of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
    Gaudencio de Vera of NIA’s Pangasinan Irrigation Management Office said the water level could further drop to 225 meters tomorrow based on the projection of SRPC.
    “At this minimum level... the power plant can no longer run eight hours a day to fulfill the contracted capacity of 115 megawatts... during peak, and consequently there will be no release of water for irrigation,” De Vera said.
    He said the low water level would continue if there is not enough rainfall or if a weather disturbance hits the watershed of the dam.

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Irrigation project benefits Ilocos Sur

By Joyah Mae C. Quimoyog

SAN JUAN, Ilocos Sur - - Residents and farmers here, expect increased crop yields in the coming days with the completion of the Barbar Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) here in Barangay Barbar.
    Inadequate supply of water for agricultural production has been a problem for farmers in some barangays in San Juan especially those located at the lower portion of the municipality.
    However, through the Barbar SRIP, farmers of most barangays are expecting an increase in their agricultural production even with the coming summer season.
    “Malaki ang pasasalamat namin sa gobyerno para sa proyektong ito para sa ating mga magsasaka kasi kapag ngayon na summer, wala ng nakukuhang tubig ang mga barangay sa ibaba at ngayon, natutuwa ang aming mga magsasaka at hindi na nila problema ang patubig na gagamitin para sa mga tanim na tabako,” barangay chairman Martin Jimenez said.
    Implemented by the National Irrigation Administration, the Barbar SRIP with 846-hectare service area aims to provide sustainable development to the 1,156 farmers and their families of the 11 barangays of San Juan namely: Barbar, Camangaan, Nagsupotan, Nagsabaran, Muraya, Immayos Sur, Guimod Sur and Bacsil, and the barangays of Macatcatud, Caraisan and Barbarit in the neighboring town of Magsingal.
    “Sa palay naman, kahit umabot pa sila ng third crop dahil lahat ng ating mga magsasaka mula sa iba't ibang barangay ay may kanya-kanyang panahon ng pagpapatubig ng kanilang mga tanim, lahat ay mabebenipisyohan ng dam na ito,” Jimenez added.
    The project, which was implemented starting on January 1, 2010 and completed on November 30 last year, is hoped to contribute to the attainment of the government’s program of food self-sufficiency.
    NIA Administrator General Ricardo R. Visaya (Ret.) said, “Nag-iimport tayo ng bigas, ngayon, marami pa tayong mga lupain na kailangang i-irrigate. Actually mayroon pa tayong about 3.6 million hectares ang irrigable area sa buong bansa and out of that, more than 2 million hectares pa lamang ang pinapatubigan natin so kapag natubigan na natin ang about 80 percent of the 3 million hectares we can have at least rice sufficiency so kailangan pa nating gumawa ng malalaking dams aside from the small dams na kagaya nito.”
    The 846 hectares irrigable area of the project will provide at least 84,500 metric tons of paddy rice annually with 1.61 million pesos equivalence.
    The Barbar SRIP was inaugurated on May 6.
    The unveiling of the project’s marker was led by NIA Administrator Visaya, Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Luis V. Singson, Ilocos Sur First District Rep. Deogracias Victor Savellano, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Efren Rafanan, San Juan Mayor Ma. Elaine Sarmiento, other NIA top management officials led by NIA Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Major General Romeo G. Gan (Ret.) and Regional Director engineer Angelito S. Miguel, and project beneficiaries as represented by its irrigators’ association officials.
    It was followed by the dispersal of 10,000 tilapia fingerlings from the provincial government in addition to the 50,000 fingerlings from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) earlier poured at the dam.
    Gov. Singson pledged to help the NIA and the local government unit of San Juan in developing the dam area into an eco-tourism spot in the province, establishing small cottages scattered in strategic locations around the dam and reservoir area, and providing cell site or antenna for cell phones and modern communication systems to strengthen the accessibility to communication signal.
    “The reinforcing livelihood component of the irrigation project, turned system, is expected to boost the morale of the farmer-beneficiaries and have them more inspired to take care and cherish the project that NIA had gifted them, and that will likewise redound to the benefit of their future generation,” Ilocos Sur Irrigation Management Office division manager Gertrudes A. Viado said. -- PIA Ilocos Sur

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DENR, Cagayan gov’t set Aparri port, river projects

APARRI  PORT  along Apagonan connecting Cagayan river – Aaron Agron

By Liezle Basa Inigo

APARRI, Cagayan -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the provincial government of Cagayan have started collaborating on the development of the Aparri Port and the tributary along the Cagayan River.

Gov. Manuel N. Mamba said he and other provincial officers recently met with the representatives of the agency about the projects.

“The DENR from Metro Manila came here just to tell us that there’s a new direction na gusto ng ating Presidente tungkol sa (that our President wants about) rehabilitation of our river channels and the opening of the Aparri Port,” Mamba said.

The governor said the local government and the national government see the potential of the two important projects that will propel economic activity in the province.

“We talked lengthily about this in our meeting. Makikita natin dito na iisa ang gustong patunguhan ng (We can see from this that there is one united direction of the) national government and of course the local government, especially the province of Cagayan,” Mamba added.

Mamba is thankful to the President and optimistic that with the national government’s support his vision for the province of Cagayan will soon materialize.

“As you can see, hindi tayo umalis doon (we didn’t give up on it). Looking northward, moving forward, and reconnecting to our neighbors especially China, Taiwan, and our neighbors up north,” Mamba said.

With the support of the national government, Mamba expressed his belief that Cagayan will be more progressive for the next generation to see.

“Bigla kong nakita na (I suddenly saw) our vision, our dream is not far na makukuha natin (from our reach). I want you to dream with me here. Do things with me here and make this a reality not only for ourselves but more so for our children and our children’s children.

“Let us see to it na kapag iniwan natin ang probinsiya natin (that when we leave our province), it is much, much better than when we found it,” Mamba said.

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RDC to NIA: Get public consent on Abra-Ilocos irrigation project

BAGUIO CITY – Cordillera Regional Development Council members urged the National Irrigation Authority to get public consent and address issues before implementing the huge  Abra-Ilocos irrigation project affecting constituents of the Cordillera and Ilocos regions. 

Two CRDC committees raised issues about the project citing lessons learned from implementation of the Chico River Pump Irrigation project to address concerns on the proposed Ilocos Norte-Ilocos Sur-Abra Irrigation Project (INISAIP) that will source water from the Abra River.

The infrastructure development committee and watershed and environmental management committees conducted separate meetings last month to get updates and give inputs on the project designed to benefit mostly Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

The National Irrigation Administration earlier met with Abra Provincial Development Council wherein Abra Gov. and RDC chairperson Joy Bernos raised the need to ensure project benefits shall be shared by host communities in Tineg, Abra.

Bernos said with benefits of irrigation in the Ilocos region and the inclusion of a hydroelectric turbine in the project, the province should also be compensated for the environmental services.

In the meeting of the RDC infrastructure committee, Bernos said the National Irrigation Authority must get the free, prior, and informed consent of affected communities.

Bernos requested changes to the project to benefit the province. Infrastructure committee co-chairman Peter Rey Bautista said host communities, where the water is coming from, must be consulted.

In the meeting of the RDC environment committee, members recalled the lessons learned from the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project where the RDC identified national policy issues.

One concern was that an Environmental Compliance Certificate was only issued where majority of the project area is located.

In this case, consultations were only initially done in Cagayan even if the source of the water for irrigation and the majority of the pump infrastructure is in Kalinga.

The NIA acknowledged this and committed to address concerns of all stakeholder communities even at the feasibility study stage.

The Cordillera regional development plan 2017-2022, said the Cordillera is the main contributor to the Luzon power grid and major source of irrigation for the nation’s most productive rice farming provinces.

With 13 major river basins, Cordillera is the Watershed Cradle of North Luzon.

The RDP also urged public-private partnerships in tapping the potential of the region to develop hydro-projects.-- NEDA-SPCAR

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City council okays law vs obstruction of Baguio waterways

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY  – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance penalizing the illegal disposal of refuse, excrement and excreta; removal or destruction of receptacles for refuse; and illegal obstruction of waterways and dumping into bodies of water; requiring certain persons, institutions and establishments to provide for receptacles for refuse, to keep surroundings clean and to pick up litters, providing for amnesty from prosecution and amending for the purpose Sections 472, 475 and 479 of Ordinance No. 500, series of 1935, as amended by Ordinance Nos. 252, 264, 572 and 601.

            The ordinance authored by Vice Mayor Faustino A. Olowan and Betty Lourdes F. Tabanda states that violators of the aforesaid violations will be fined P2000 for the first offense and P3,000 for the second and subsequent offenses.

            Establishments found violating the same shall be fined P3,000 with a warning for the first offense, P4,000 and suspension of business permit for 30 days for the second offense, and P5,000 and revocation of business permit for the third offense.

            The ordinance stipulates that violators, whether individuals or establishments, of any provisions shall be informed of their specific violations and the penalty associated with it by means of a citation ticket system with prescribed guidelines such that official booklets of citation tickets shall be issued by the City Treasurer to duly authorized enforcers within 90 calendar days of the effectivity of the measure; a citation ticket shall be issued to the persons liable for any violation of the measure upon finding of the violation by duly authorized enforcers; a citation ticket shall contain information on the checklist of the violations, the fines associated with each violation, option to render community service in case violator is unable to pay fine, and due date of compliance with the obligations imposed by the ticket; when a citation ticket is issued to a violator, the violator shall report to the City Treasury Office or its duly authorized collection agent within 5 regular business days after such issuance whether he or she shall either pay the fine imposed or render community service; and the City Treasury office shall keep a duplicate of all citation tickets issued to violators as well as all other records of violations of the measure.

            The ordinance designates the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), the City General Services Office and City Treasury Office, to be the lead departments in the  strict implementation of the proposed city legislative measure, with the said offices to formulate the required implementing rules and regulations in consultation with the City Health Services Office on the issues affecting the implementation of the same.

            The ordinance states that personnel from the City Treasury Office, Baguio City Police Office, the barangay officials or their agents, barangay tanods, Public Order and Safety Division, sanitary inspectors, other personnel from the City Health Services Office and other agents and private individuals that may be assigned shall be deputized by the City Mayor to implement the provisions of the measure.

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Sagada execs: Stop Bokong coffee shop construction

By Gina Dizon

SAGADA, Mountain Province --- The Sangguniang Bayan wants ongoing construction of a coffee shop just above the Bokong Falls here stopped.

 In a meeting among the members of the Sangguniang Bayan and lot owner, The SB urged the municipal mayor to stop construction.

Said construction of an alleged coffee shop had been the subject of a heated bashing among netizens in Facebook a month ago claiming that pursuing construction of said structure shall pollute the waters flowing along Bokong River and destroy the scenic site of the falls.

The Bokong construction also formed part of the discussions of the municipal tourism council and the SB before said recommendation of the SB.

An inspection of the reported structure followed among some members of the SB noting violations of tourism and environmental laws.   

In said meeting, the SB forwarded in their recommendation that Municipal Mayor James Pooten Jr issue a cease and desist order to stop construction of the structure in its progressing stage.

The SB found violation in the Municipal Tourism Code of Sagada and the Water Code of the Philippines.  

SB found violation in Section 23 of the revised Sagada tourism code stating “…. owners of adjoining lots are prohibited from making constructions that will tend to obstruct from viewpoints, destroy or substantially alter the natural beauty of the nearby scenic spots.

Councilor Kapon Gomgom-o said upholding the law will serve as ‘condition precedent’ to the maintenance of heritage sites of the town and keep scenic sites clean as they should be. 

Violation was also noted in Section 25 of said tourism code providing that “improvement on scenic spots shall require the favorable  recommendation of the municipal tourism council contained in a resolution. As far as practicable no improvement shall be introduced in sacred and/or scenic spots which will tend to destroy or substantially alter the natural condition of the sacred place or scenic spots.”   

Said provisions finds consistency in the proposed ordinance of the SB declaring certain sites as natural heritage and ecological tourism park of Sagada including Bokong Falls.

Councilors Dave Gulian and Benjamin Capuyan said laws should be upheld to keep order and preserve the natural heritage of the town. 

The SB finds Article 51 of the Water Code of the Philippines applicable where “the banks of rivers and streams and the shores of the seas and lakes throughout their entire length and within a zone of three meters in urban area, 20 meters in agricultural areas and 40 meters in forest areas, along their margins, are subject to the easement of public use in the interest of recreation, navigation, flotage, fishing and salvage. 

No person shall be allowed to stay in this zone longer than what is necessary for recreation, navigation, flotage, fishing or salvage or to build structures of any kind.”

An interview with the lot owner said she is primarily concerned with the  improvement of the  stonewalls of the eroding stonewalls of her ricefield located near the river bank.

Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Jaime Dugao said original use of the lot should be maintained. 

The SB in said meeting forwarded their recommendation that the stonewall of the lot be improved as well as with other ripraps of other ricefields  much as these are heritage sites of  the town.

Observations have been noted on perceived violations of the law including already built structures in the middle of rice fields and near burial caves.   

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20,000 structures in Baguio waterways up for demolition

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The planned clearing of easements of rivers and tributaries in the city may affect approximately 20,000 structures, Mayor Benjamin Magalong told Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu during the secretary’s visit Dec. 6.

The mayor said the city through the City Building and Architecture Office (CBAO) is in the process of identifying all illegal structures built within the three-meter natural bank of rivers and has issued second notices to those that have been validated.

The campaign is part of the city’s thrust to revitalize its water resources through the removal of illegal structures and encroachments that contributed to the rivers’ pollution.

CBAO’s architect Stephen Capuyan who heads the team on the protection of rivers, waterways and sewer lines said a total of 274 structures had been identified and validated in nine barangays from North Sanitary Camp to Imelda Village traversed by the Sagudin-Balili River.

Their owners had been served their second notices to give them time to voluntarily remove their structures.

Capuyan said that if they refuse to self-demolish, investigation reports will be submitted for the issuance of the notices of demolition en route to the issuance of demolition orders.

Capuyan agreed that around 20,000 structures will be covered by the demolition activities once they complete the investigation of all easements covering the rivers and their tributaries which apart from the Sagudin-Balili, Galiano also include Bued and Ambalanga rivers.

He said the team also composed of members from the City Environment and Parks Management Office (Cepmo) and the City Engineers Office is completing the stretch covered by the Baili river covers barangays surveyed are North and Sanitary Camp, Happy Homes Old Lucban, Camdas, Tabora, Trancoville, Private Road Magsaysay, New Lucban, ABCR, Brookside, East Modernsite Aurora Hill, Holy Ghost Extension, Honeymoon Holy Ghost, Imelda Village, Manuel Roxas, St. Joseph and Pacdal.

The campaign is anchored on Article 51 of the Water Code which provides that banks of bodies of water – rivers, streams, shores of seas and lakes – throughout their entire length and within a zone of three-meters in urban areas, 20 meters in agricultural areas, and 40 meters in forest areas are subject to easement of public use in the interest of recreation, navigation, flotage, fishing, salvage and swimming. No person shall be allowed to stay in this area longer than what is necessary for said purpose.

Under Presidential Decree 296, which was issued in 1973, natural or judiciary persons who have introduced improvements, or reclaimed and occupied portions of rivers, creeks, esteros, or drainage and other similar waterways are directed to report improvements and renounce possession and demolish structures or improvements they encroached upon.

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Tuba folks fight over right to water in shot spring; resort up for ‘demolition’

TUBA, Benguet – Residents here are fighting over their right to a hot water spring which they said their forebears have been using since time immemorial but which is now being claimed by a resort owner who reportedly fenced the property which has a swimming pool wherein visitors are required to pay for its use.

Local folks said the community owns the property by virtue of Native Title but resort owner Richard Stone Pooten reportedly installed a gate to the area.

The gate was destroyed by local folks who said Pooten had no right to deprive them of water.

A press time, a reliable source said Tuba Mayor Clarita P. Sal-ongan has instructed Nangalisan Barangay Captain Marcial Flores to initiate “appropriate action” over the disputed area considering that is a road right of way.

Under the recent anti-road obstruction law, vehicles including buildings or structures over road rights of way have to be taken out or demolished.

 Aside from the swimming pool, the mayor reportedly said the public comfort room, tanod outpost, bakery and tricycle terminal beside the area were obstructions.   

A meeting with the municipal council was held here Nov. 12 but the issue was not settled among stakeholders.

Based from minutes of the meeting provided to the Northern Philippine Times at press time, in attendance were Pooten and his wife who own the Pooten Resort down Asin Road in Barangay Nangalisan, representatives of the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Public Works and Highways, Tuba officials among others.

These were the positions of stakeholders on the matter.

Pooten said since he bought the property, he had the right to fence it.

Atanacio Addog of the regional office of the NCIP said if the property is ancestral domain of Tuba people or that of Pooten, more talks were needed to settle the matter and maybe come up with a memorandum of agreement between parties like on use of the water.

Barangay captain Flores said there was a survey of the area and this should be checked.

Councilor Gary G. Behis said the former owner of the area, a certain Pascua, was the one granted by the Water Utilities Board water rights over the disputed site.

The community environment natural resources officer of Baguio city who was not identified in the transcript, said the site in Nangalisan is part of forest land of Marcos Highway National Park so the proper agency to secure permit to use water should be the DENR.

The Cenro officer said under the Water Code of the Philippines and considering that there are indigenous peoples there, there should be an endorsement from the PAMB (Protected Areas Management Board) for use of the site.

The DPWH representative said the area is covered by MRR (Manila Metro Rail Co.) title and if the actual location is 60,40 from the Asin Road, then it is categorized road right of way.

The disputed site is beside Asin Road.

Behis said on April 2016, it was found out in a DPWH investigation that the area was part of road right of way.

The DENR representative said if the area is a body of water, nobody owns it but the State.        

Some local folks said the area should not be enclosed and they should be free to go there to fix their pipes the water of which goes to their homes or fields but Pooten said they wanted the safety of people going there secured.

Barangay captain Flores said he was willing to take the responsibility of look over the area and see to it that nothing untoward would happen.

The session ended with no agreement among those involved

A date has still to be set to discuss and settle the matter among stakeholders.

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