A newly completed water impounding project in Tabuk City aims to support local farmers by providing reliable irrigation during the ongoing El Niño phenomenon.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Philippines announced the completion of a P30 million small water impounding project located in Barangay Bulo, Tabuk City, Kalinga. The project, known as the Bulo-Magasusu Small Water Impounding Project, is designed to supply irrigation to 35 farmers cultivating approximately 85 hectares of farmland, particularly during the dry season intensified by the El Niño phenomenon. Expected to persist into the first half of 2027, this weather pattern is bringing unusually high temperatures, threatening agricultural productivity in the region.
The facility includes an 18-hectare pond, a 177-hectare watershed, a 13-meter-high dam, a 1.75-kilometer irrigation canal, and a 94-meter outlet pipe to ensure adequate water distribution for irrigation needs. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel emphasized that such projects are crucial to addressing the uncertainty farmers face due to increasingly unpredictable weather conditions. He also urged the local association managing the facility to maintain it for sustained benefit to future generations.
The Department of Agriculture reaffirmed its commitment to implementing initiatives that improve crop yields, reduce production costs, and enhance farmer incomes, especially critical as the agricultural sector faces climate challenges.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/1008668/p30m-water-impounding-project-completed-in-kalinga-da/story/