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The National Irrigation Administration-Region 2 under the management of Regional Manager Raymundo B. Apil through the Quirino Irrigation Management Office, under the stewardship of Division Manager Edison Tolentino, continues to introduce irrigation project innovation/modernization to tap available water resources for irrigation. Balligui Solar Pump Irrigation Project (SPIP) is just one of these projects.
On February 17, 2022, the Solar Pump Irrigation Project (SPIP) was formally inaugurated and turned over to the Balligui IA. It is the first Solar Pump Irrigation Project (SPIP) of the National Irrigation Administration in the Municipality of Maddela and the 3rd within the province of Quirino. The occasion was graced by Division Manager for Engineering and Operations Division, Engr. Orlando R. Espejo, Quirino IMO Division Manager Edison L. Tolentino, representing Governor Junie E. Cua is Hon. Alegre Ylanan, Maddela Municipal Mayor Hon. Rimmel Tolentino, IA President Francisco Jimenez, Jr, and Balligui Barangay Captain Hon. Arthur Leal. In his message, the Quirino Division Manager vowed for the full support of the solar pump irrigation project and urged the IA to manage efficiently and effectively the operation and maintenance of the project. Hon. Alegre Ylanan, Hon. Rimel Tolentino, Hon. Arthur Leal and IA President Athur Leal, expressed their gratitude to the National Irrigation Administration and committed their full support to the solar project that may now change the economic well-being of the farmers in the locality.
With Nagtim-og Creek as its main water source, the Balligui SPIP is situated at Barangay Balligui, Diffun, Quirino. Funded under Establishment of Groundwater Pump Irrigation Project (EGPIP) of the General Appropriations Act of (GAA) 2021 with a total project allocation of 3-million pesos. Project execution started on April 30, 2021 and completed on January 19, 2022. Constructed by JMD-68 Builders and under the supervision of Engr. Lester B. Santos (NIA Project in Charge), the project involved Furnish, Delivery and installation of solar pump system, pump sum, water tanks and other appurtenant structures. The Balligui SPIP, intended for palay and high-value crops, has a potential service area of 6 hectares benefiting 9 farmers.
The Balligui Central Irrigators Association (IA) was organized on January 30, 2021 headed by the IA President Francisco P. Jimenez, Jr. Emmanuel L. Miguel, assigned IDO in the project, is responsible for institutional activities to strengthen the IA, through capability trainings preparatory to the management of the operation and maintenance of the Balligui SPIP. Despite the lingering effect of the COVID-19 pandemic that has been an obstacle to economic growth, the National Irrigation Administration, under the leadership of Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya, NIA Region 2 remains focused on its commitment and mandate to provide efficient, reliable and sustainable irrigation services to the Filipino farmers.
By: William A. Sabug
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