KALIBO, Aklan – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) asked for the public’s understanding ahead of its scheduled closure of Aklan’s irrigation canals.
The six-month closure will begin October.
This is to pave the way for the construction of the P370-million diversion dams for the Aklan River Irrigation System located in Barangay Sigcay Banga and Barangay Kinalangay, Malinao.
The project will benefit farmers in Kalibo, Numancia, Lezo, New Washington, Banga, Malinao, and Makato, said Engineer Lorena Sioco of the Aklan-Capiz Irrigation Management Office.
Project contractors Silver Dragon Construction Lumber and Supply and BSP & Company, Inc. will take care of the supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of steel gates for the dams.
The project started on Jan. 22 this year and is expected to be completed on Jan. 12, 2020.
During the closure, Sioco said NIA will provide “mitigating measures.”
“May mitigating measures din para sa mga farmers dahil sa pagsasara ng irrigation canals,” she stressed.
NIA will provide water pumps for various irrigation associations in Aklan.
The Department of Agriculture will also give drought-resistant seeds to farmers who will suffer the most due to the closure. (With Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
