By Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY, JULY
23(PIA)---The National
Irrigation Administration, Local Government of Dipolog City and the Irrigators
Association recently inked two Memorandum of Agreements(MOA) aimed to improve
the irrigation facilities in Zamboanga del Norte.
In
the first MOA signed between the City of Government of Dipolog, NIA, and the
Irrigators Association, PhP30-million has been allocated for the repair, reconstruction
and repair of the Dipolog City Communal Irrigation system and Extension.
Ms.
Emilene Ballon, NIA-Zamboanga del Norte Institutional Information Officer said
under the MOA, the City Government of Dipolog shoulders 30% of the project cost
and implements the project.
In
another MOA between the Dipolog City LGU and the Dipolog-Polanco Irrigators
Association, PhP70-million was also appropriated for the construction and
rehabilitation of the Gravity Irrigation Project/System.
The
said irrigation project links the three barangays of Polanco (Poblacion, South
Anastacio and Bandera) to Barangays Sinaman, Punta, Olingan, Galas, Gulayon,
Sta. Felomina and Turno of Dipolog City.
The
project which involves concreting and rehabilitation of irrigation canals and
other irrigation facilities in the area is expected to benefit 1,078
farmer-members of the Irrigators Association tilling 850 hectares of rice-lands
in the said barangays
Once
completed, the upgraded irrigation will enhanced palay production in the
province in line with rice self sufficiency being envisioned by the Aquino
administration.
The
MOA signing was done after the local NIA office hold its NIA-Irrigation
Association Operation and Maintenance Conference and Quarterly Federation
Meeting held at the Top Plaza Hotel last July 16, 2012, this city.
The
MOA was signed by NIA-9 Regional Manager Engr. Alejandro Alberca;
Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn T. Uy and
Dipolog-Polanco Irrigators Association President Gumercindo T. Dimasuhid.
The
MOA signing was witnessed by Zamboanga del Norte Second District Representative
Rosendo Labad-labad, Dipolog City Vice Mayor Senen Angeles and Regional and
Provincial employees of NIA.
After
the MOA signing, DPIA President Dimasuhid expressed his appreciation to the
support extended by NIA, the City government of Dipolog and the Second District
Congressional office for the implementation of the said project.(ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)