TUGUEGARAO CITY—The P2.696-billion Chico River Pump Irrigation Project broke ground in Barangay Dagupan in Tuao on Thursday, with Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba, Tuao Vice Mayor William Mamba, National Irrigation Authority Regional Manager Antonio Lara, and Cagayan-Batanes Irrigation Division manager Francis Yu leading local officials.
Mamba expressed his gratitude to the NIA, reiterating the project will irrigate 8,700 hectares of agricultural land. It will greatly benefit not only farmers in Tuao but also in the municipality of Piat and barangay Pinukpok in the province of Apayao.
“This project is perceived to boost the country’s agricultural production,” Mamba said, adding that the project will also give livelihood to those in nearby municipalities.
Lara said the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project, an electric motor-driven pump located at Tuao East, will benefit 4,350 farmers in 21 barangays in Cagayan and Kalinga.
“This major project in Cagayan will increase the production capacity of our farmer beneficiaries to ensure adequate rice for consumption,” he stressed.
The project will contribute to feeding the 61,535 residents of Tuao, Piat, and barangay Pinukpok in the province of Apayao, Lara added.
Meanwhile, Yu said NIA-RO2 expects an incremental net income of up to P42,273 per hectare a year from the farmers’ previous P28, 952 per hectare annual income without the irrigation.
The project will provide water for irrigation through the construction of new diversion and canal systems, increase agricultural productivity and farmers’ income and generate employment.”
The irrigation system will get its water straight from the Chico River, with its water source located at Barangay Katabbogan, Pinukpuk in Kalinga. The project will cover 18 barangays in Tuao and one barangay each for Piat, Cagayan and Pinukpuk, Yu said.
Moreover, over 7,580 jobs will be created during the implementation of the project, and that 8,700 people will have permanent employment once the system is completed and becomes operational in three years, Lara disclosed.