The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Calabarzon, through the NIA Laguna-Rizal Irrigation Management Office (IMO), announced the release of PHP2.74 million on Monday to the Laguna Federation of Irrigators’ Associations Inc. as a subsidy for the wet cropping season.

In a phone interview, engineer Erwin Lucela, chief of the Engineering and Operations Division of NIA Calabarzon, said the funds will facilitate the continuous operation and maintenance of irrigation systems, covering essential activities such as cleaning irrigation canals, administering irrigators associations (IAs) offices, and managing other association expenses.

Moreover, 12 small irrigation projects were officially handed over to the IAs in Laguna and Rizal provinces, which will irrigate 237 hectares of farmland and enhance the livelihoods of farmers in these areas.

The completed irrigation projects include the Majayjay Communal Irrigation System (CIS), Malinao II Small Irrigation Project (SIP), Piit SIP, and Bitaoy SIP (Majayjay, Laguna); Pagsanjan SIP (Pagsanjan, Laguna) Registering SIP Paagahan CIS (Mabitac, Laguna); Banadero CIS (San Pablo, Laguna); Matikiw 1 CIS Pakil CIS (Pakil, Laguna); Layasin SIP (Cavinti, Laguna); and Maybangkal CIS (Morong, Rizal).

As part of the program, a marketing agreement was signed under the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP), a government initiative that connects farmers’ products with various private and public agencies to combat poverty and hunger in the country.

Lucela underscored the vital role of farmers in achieving food security.

“The NIA is dedicated to supporting our farmers. Without them, the agricultural sector cannot thrive,” he said. (PNA)