Ecija irrigation office completes first solar-powered project
CABANATUAN CITY – The National Irrigation Administration-Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (NIA-UPRIIS) based here launched its first solar-powered irrigation project in Bgy. Pamacpacan, Jaen, of the province’s fourth district.
NIA-UPRIIS head Engr. Rosalinda B. Bote said the project was launched and completed upon orders from NIA Chief Ricardo R. Visaya, who pioneered the installation of such projects to help increase the productivity and income of farmers nationwide.
Bote said it was implemented in line with Visaya’s four-point agenda to institute measures to improve delivery of services, including the modernization of equipment for operations to ensure the provision of efficient, reliable and sustainable irrigation service to the Filipino farmers in keeping with the agency’s mandate.
Bote said the solar-powered irrigation project was completed under the stewardship of Division 3 manager Engr. Elenita L. Toquero.
Toquero said it can irrigate about 400 hectares of farmland situated in the canal’s tail-end in Bgy. Pamacpacan, benefitting some 322 farmers belonging to two irrigators group, the Alsapam Irrigators Association and the Imbunia Irrigators.
With the help of the new system, Toquero added that it can now maximize the utilization of their agricultural lands through timely and sufficient irrigation water supply.
The said project consists of four solar-powered pumps which can discharge an average of 0.80cms/210 gallons per second and draws its water source from the Sanggalang Creek and re-use water from farmlands and canals from the Sta. Rosa town area. It was also built with a security fence to ensure the safety of the equipment.
