P63.8-M Irrigation Projects to Benefit More Farmers in Mindanao

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PAFSAM Sec. Fredelita C. Guiza (center), NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, and Mamasapano Mayor Tahirudin A. Ampatuan led the inaugural ceremony of the P50-million KRIS-Mamasapano Extension Irrigation Project in Brgy. Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Mamasapano, Maguindanao – Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization (PAFSAM) Secretary Fredelita C. Guiza, National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, and NIA Region 12 Manager Ali S. Satol graced the inaugural ceremony of the P50-million Kabulnan River Irrigation System (KRIS)-Mamasapano Extension Project located at Brgy. Tukanalipao, this province, on March 21, 2016.

After just eight months of construction, the irrigation system is now fully operational and functional. The said project will serve the 99 farmer-members of the KRIS-Tukanalipao Irrigators Association (IA), Inc. and the systems 130-hectare coverage. The farmer-beneficiaries will start planting rice this coming June.

Sec. Guiza and Administrator Padernal urge the Local Government Units, other partners present like NFA and PCA, and most especially the farmer-beneficiaries to work hand-in-hand in enriching the irrigation system through cooperation, coordination, support, and hard work. They added that the project is not for NIA alone, but particularly for the farmers who is the partner in agricultural development of our country.

Mamasapano Mayor Tahirudin A. Ampatuan in his message said that he will be of help to NIA and the farmers, and that this agricultural undertaking in the municipality is a mode towards progress and development.

Mr. Ibrahim Ali, KRIS-Tukanalipao IA, Inc. president extends his appreciation and gratefulness saying “NIA turns our dream into reality”. Were once all of this is just a figment of our imagination, we all can’t believe that our land will now be getting much needed water that will result to more production, and of course more income. Maraming salamat po mula sa aming mga magsasaka”.
 
Subsequently, a simple ceremony was also attended by PAFSAM Secretary Guiza and NIA Administrator Padernal. The Sinawal River Irrigation Project at Brgy. Sinawal, General Santos City was inaugurated on Monday.
 


SLSFIA, Inc. President Adelbert D. Tonalite (in white polo shirt), PAFSAM Sec. Fredelita C. Guiza, NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, and NIA Region 12 Manager Ali S. Satol led the ribbon cutting during the inaugural ceremony of the Sinawal River Irrigation Project in General Santos City.

With a total project cost of P13.8 million, the undertaking had an actual area of 441.70 hectares that will serve the Suiza-Lanton Sinawal Farmers Irrigators Association, Inc.

“This project is a good case of public-private partnership wherein the government and private sector work hand-in-hand for one ultimate goal progress”, said NIA Administrator Padernal during his opening message to address guests and stakeholders present during the event. With his vision for NIA to go beyond irrigation, and for the agency to cover more areas, he gave insights and ideas for the existing potential area of 1,748 hectares, like hydropower.

He added that with the use of new technologies, like HDPE pipes that is known for its excellent performance and long-life expectancy, the project can serve its farmer-beneficiaries exceptionally.

The Sinawal River Irrigation Project is the very first project in General Santos City that also irrigates high-valued commercial crops such as corn, pineapple, banana, mango, and coconut that is an assured approach to increase farmers’ income.