By Arabella Asis
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is targeting to fast-track irrigation by developing 300,000 hectares of land through public-private partnerships (PPP) by the end of the Marcos administration.
During the Laging Handa Public Briefing Monday, April 3, NIA Administrator Engr. Eduardo Guillen stated that they have submitted 50 proposals to the PPP Center.
NIA also proposed diversified crop production due to the looming water crisis.
“’Yung mga priority namin na irrigation yung mga bukana, ‘yung mga unang madadaluyan ng tubig pero ‘yung mga nandoon sa dulo ay high-value crops na,” Guillen explained.
For a long-term solution to El Niño, NIA is keen on constructing dams like Magat and Pantabangan dams.
The goal is to manage the water during the rainy season and release it for irrigation in the dry season.
Last March, a P30-M dam was completed to help the farmers of Ligao City, Albay.
Meanwhile, the rehabilitation for Tingib Dam in Leyte is set to undergo implementation in 2024. – gb
