More than 4,300 farmers from 31 irrigators’ associations in Albay have benefited from the Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (DOLE-TUPAD) program through a convergence initiative with the National Irrigation Administration-Albay-Catanduanes Irrigation Management Office (NIA-ACIMO).

NIA-5 (Bicol) spokesperson Maria Cleofe Baraero said in an interview Friday thay the beneficiaries earned PHP4,550 for 10 days or PHP6,825 for 15 days, based on the prevailing daily minimum wage of PHP455.

The beneficiaries cleared waterways and planted crops along canal easements to improve water flow and maximize idle spaces.

“These activities helped restore and maintain the efficiency of irrigation canals by removing silt, weeds and other obstructions that impede water flow, ensuring the continuous and efficient delivery of irrigation water to farmlands,” Baraero said.

She added that planting crops along canal easements also served multiple purposes.

“Beyond promoting the productive use of idle spaces, the initiative discourages illegal encroachments, supports environmental conservation and provides additional livelihood opportunities for local communities,” she said.

The beneficiaries came from the municipalities of Manito, Bacacay, Daraga, Jovellar, Camalig, Guinobatan, Pioduran, Oas, Libon, and Polangui, and from the cities of Tabaco, Legazpi, and Ligao.

“We are planning another batch next year, provided that a budget is allocated under the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty Convergence Program of NIA, DOLE, and DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Developmen,” she said. (PNA)