GUIMARAS-The agriculture sector in Guimaras province is expected to be further improved following the construction of the P875 million Cabano Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP).
This Wednesday, March 23, the groundbreaking and capsule-laying ceremony of the biggest irrigation project in Guimaras was held at the Cabano SRIP dam site in Barangay Aguilar, San Lorenzo town.
Among the project components of Cabano SRIP are the following:
* Construction of 29.87 meters high, zoned earth-fill dam and appurtenant structures with a protection dike
* Reservoir with an active storage capacity of about 3.69 MCM
* Construction of irrigation and drainage facilities that shall serve 861 hectares of Riceland
* Construction of road networks that shall provide easy access for delivery of agricultural products.
Retired Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya, administrator of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) led the groundbreaking and capsule-laying ceremony.
Also present at the groundbreaking were Ralph Lauren A. Du, Deputy Administrator for the Administrative and Finance Sector of the NIA-central office; Engr. Rory F. Avance, Regional manager of NIA-6; Engr. Randy C. Alipis, Division Manager of the Iloilo-Guimaras Irrigation Management Office; and Marvin Villanueva, Irrigator President of Cabano BIDA, Inc.
According to Visaya, the objectives of the Cabano Small Reservoir Irrigation Project are as follows: increase agricultural production, create employment opportunities, and improve the living environment of project-affected communities.
The project aims to develop the full potential of the Cabano River for irrigation, aquaculture, recreational facilities, tourism, and flood control.
“Aside from irrigation, this can be a source of income ng ating mga local government units ng Guimaras island because isang ginagawa namin is converting the area into a tourist destination,” part of speech of Visaya during the groundbreaking and capsule-laying ceremony.
For Visaya, it is not only farmers who can benefit from the irrigation project, but all Guimarasnon who want to earn additional income.
“All the people of Guimaras who want to have additional income, this Cabano Small Reservoir Irrigation Project is a big help to all of you,” Visaya added.
An estimated 1,304 farmers from barangays Cabano, M-Chavez, Suclaran, San Enrique, Cabungahan, and Aguilar will benefit from the project after the service area expands to 861 hectares.
For this reason, Visaya encourages Guimarasnons to work together and not hinder the project to be completed on the scheduled timeline and inaugurated by 2025.
“We don’t want delays, I hope this can’t be disturbed unless there are natural calamities that we can’t prevent but I hope no one disturbs it,” the administrator added.
The construction of the Cabano Small Reservoir Irrigation Project is targeted to be completed by February 14, 2025./PN
