KALIBO, Aklan – The closure of the canals of the Aklan River Irrigation System was affecting over 5,000 hectares of farmland.
The canals were temporarily closed until June next year to give way to construction works to improve the irrigation system.
“A reduction in rice production is expected with the temporary closure of the irrigation canals,” said Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Emmanuel Soviet Russia Dela Cruz.
On the east side, 2,288 hectares in the towns of Banga (187 hectares in nine barangays), New Washington (1,180 hectare in eight barangays) and Kalibo (921 hectares in eight barangays) were affected.
Affected on the west side were 1,675 hectares in Lezo (663 hectares in 11 barangays), Numancia (354 hectares in five barangays) and Makato (658 hectare in five barangays).
A total of 1,118 hectares in farming communities in Ibajay and Nabas were affected as well.
But Dela Cruz, chairman of the committee on agriculture, assured that improvement works on the Aklan River Irrigation System East Intake in Banga and West Intake in Malinao will help increase rice production and rice self-sufficiency in the province.
They include the construction of two diversion dams in Sigcay, Banga and Kinalangay Nuevo, Malinao; a link canal and footbridge on the west side; a main canal on the east side; and a protection dike – all for a budget of P655.2 million.
Mitigating measures were in place to minimize the impact of the closure of irrigation canals, the government said.
The Department of Agriculture Region 6 committed to local farmers 2.5 tons of certified seeds, drought-resistant rice varieties and other crops such as corn, peanut, monggo, and vegetables.
In addition, the DA and the National Irrigation Administration will also make 29 industrial water pumps available for the farmers’ use.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan also urged contractor Silver Dragon Construction Lumber and Glass Supply to complete the project on time. (With Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
