PINUKPUK, Kalinga, March 30 (PIA) – – Construction of the Wagod-Ammacian-Taggay Communal Irrigation Project (WATA-CIP) funded under the National Irrigation Administration’s Small Irrigation Project resumed after about two years of delay.
Acting Kalinga Irrigation Management Office (KIMO) Manager Engr. Leonardo Lamangen said the construction of the dam under phases 2 and 3 costing a total of Php53 million are targeted for completion by end of June this year while the remaining canal under phase 4 amounting to Php50 million is expected to be finished by year-end.
The project is expected to irrigate 206 hectares and benefit more than 200 local farmers in Wagod and Ammacian which are listed as ELCAC barangays in the province.
Construction of the dam started in June 2018 and targeted to be completed June of 2020 but was twice suspended. Project implementation was reportedly delayed due to high water levels at jobsite, right-of-way claims, incidence of armed conflict between government troops and the New People’s Army and alleged lack of cooperation of the people as they are not direct beneficiaries.
To settle once and for all issues causing the delay, the contractors and members of WATA resolved in a memorandum of agreement they signed on March 12 that in case the contractors need laborers, priority shall be given to people of Wagod. Contractors shall allow “Batug Ko Intrabahuk” for the construction of canal on the former’s terms and conditions.
Contractors are required to submit to the barangay officials the list of employees and equipment for security purposes and assign Martin Mamawag as caretaker of construction materials and equipment.
Meanwhile, Lamangen reported that the construction of Magaogao CIP located at Burayukan is due for completion this month of March.
The project whose water supply is sourced from the Aliog River, has a 4.8 kilometer canal work component targeted to irrigate 80 hectares and to benefit 38 farmers.
In a related development, NIA-KIMO turned over the Laya West CIP in Tabuk city to the Jose Anniban Farmers Irrigators Association, Inc. The Phase 1 of the CIP was funded under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program- Irrigation Component CY 2019 with a total project cost of P10 million. Work component included the construction of a diversion weir and 654 meters lined canal. It was designed to irrigate 54 hectares benefiting 53 farmer-beneficiaries. **JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga
