The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) starts the construction of the P30-million irrigation facility known as the Lucbuan Small Irrigation Project (SIP) in Barangay Lucbuan, Puerto Princesa in a bid to help irrigate ricefields in the area and boost rice production in the city.
The project is almost complete, with only the remaining 1.4-kilometer High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipe for the installation of the total 2.4-kilometer length. It was started in August 2019 and is expected to be completed and operational by April 2020.
On Wednesday, January 29, 2020, NIA-Palawan Irrigation Management Office (PIMO) Division Manager Conrado V. Cardenas, Jr, and other personnel under his office conducted a test run on the newly-installed 14-inch diameter HDPE of Lucbuan Small Irrigation Project.
The NIA said that the test run is to assure the operating condition and reliability of installed HDPE pipe of Lucbuan SIP that will irrigate 100 hectares of rice field to be relished by 73 farmer-beneficiaries once completed.
“Lucbuan SIP is 89% completed as of January 15, 2020, with completed dam structure and installed HDPE. Out of 2.4 km length HDPE pipe, NIA strictly monitors the remaining 1.4 km installation of HDPE pipe before inaugurating the project and turn-over to Lucbuan Irrigators Association,” the statement released by NIA said.
Once fully operational, the irrigation facility will benefit the Lucbuan Irrigators Association headed by its president, Milbert Aniar, who said that the project is timely since they are bracing for the coming summer which usual shortage of water supply is expected.
Information Officer Agnes A. Acosta, District Action Officer Eugene Tabang from Office of Congressman Gil Acosta, 3rd Congressional District, Palawan, Maunlad Punong Barangay Alfredo Mondragon, and Bgy. Council of Lucbuan headed by Berlie Gabinete witnessed the test run of Lucbuan SIP.
“The irrigation project was awarded to DJ Valera Construction and Supply with the contract amount of P30 Million and contract duration of 242 calendar days. The monitoring of Lucbuan SIP is anchored to the NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya 4-point agenda which is institute measures to improve the delivery of services, such as but not limited to, modernization of equipment for operations and project implementation,” NIA further said.
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