President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) on Wednesday to immediately complete the construction of supporting structures of the Balbalungao small reservoir irrigation project in Nueva Ecija to help cushion the impact of El Nińo.
Speaking during the inauguration of the project, President Marcos stressed that the BSRIP will further improve agricultural productivity in Nueva Ecija, which is also known as the the “Rice Bowl of the Philippines.”
“I also call upon the NIA and the Department of Agriculture to make sure that there is timely completion of the other facilities of the project, such as its hydropower and watershed components, so that communities will be able to fully enjoy the benefits of the project,” he said.
“Anticipating the success of the BSRIP in transforming the province’s lands into thriving hubs of productivity, we remain steadfast in our pursuit of food security, poverty reduction, and economic growth,” he said.
The BSRIP, worth PhP1.28 billion, is composed of irrigation infrastructures that were finished on February 13, 2019. The construction of the PhP887 million, 29.9-meter-high earth-fill dam and accompanying structures began on February 5, 2020, and was finished on November 15, 2023, ahead of completion target slated on January of next year.
While the earth-fill dam has been completed, the hydropower and watershed components have still to be built. It would help address the effects of El Nino, which is expected to last until the second quarter of next year.
“Once fully operational, this multipurpose dam will provide irrigation for close to 1000 hectares of agricultural land in Barangays San Isidro, Balba-lungao, Salvacion, and Mapang-pang here in Lupao, benefiting about 560 farmers and their families,” President Marcos said.
The project is also expected to generate diversified income opportunities through increased crop yields, fish culture, tourism, and watershed management for environmental protection.
The chief executive also noted that the project will help cushion the effects of the El Nino.
“I wish to emphasize that this project will also help address the effects of El Niño. We must be prepared to counter its effects, which may last until the second quarter of 2024,” he said. PND
