THE construction of the P664.75-million irrigation project in the province of Capiz has officially started.

National Irrigation Administration (NIA) acting administrator Eddie Guillen on Thursday led the groundbreaking and capsule-laying ceremony signaling the start of the Bayuyan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) at the Gatekeeper’s Quarters in Bgy. Bayuyan, President Roxas, Capiz.

Described as the biggest irrigation project in the province, the Bayuyan SRIP covers 594 hectares of agricultural land on eight barangays in the municipality of President Roxas.

Expected to be completed by December 2025, the project will benefit a total of 540 farmers in barangays Bayuyan, Badiangon, Culilang, Goce, Carmencita, Cubay, Ibaca and Sto. Nino.

Aside from the provision of year-round irrigation to the local farming communities, it will also provide other incidental benefits such as flood control, environmental and watershed management, agro-tourism promotion, and aquaculture development.

Administrator Guillen solicited the support of all stakeholders toward the success of the project.

He emphasized that the project reflects the undying commitment of NIA to fast-track irrigation development and to uplift the lives of greater Filipino farmers.

“Ang Bayuyan SRIP ay sumasalamin sa patuloy na pagseserbisyo ng NIA sa ating mga magsasakang Capiznon. Dalawa po ang misyon ng NIA–ang makapagbigay ng mahusay na serbisyo-patubig at ang maiangat ang kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka. Kung tayo po ay magtutulungan, wala pong imposible,” he said.

Present during the event were NIA deputy administrator for Engineering and Operations Sector C’zar M. Sulaik, NIA Region 6 manager Rory F. Avance, JRMP-II project manager Jonel B. Bores, Aklan-Capiz Irrigation Management Office Division manager Raymond B. Mojares, representatives from different national government agencies, and local government units, NIA regional employees, Irrigators Association (IA) officers and members, farmers, and media partners.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Joel dela Torre