By Leilanie Adriano/PNA
LAOAG CITY — The local government unit of Piddig in Ilocos Norte has revolutionized the construction of small water impounding dams and spring development in local communities where drought or flooding continues to threaten their livelihood.
Engr. Eduardo “Eddie” Guillen, former Piddig mayor and consultant to the Office of the Mayor, said too much water or less rain could greatly affect this agricultural town’s economy but with long-term planning to mitigate its effects, this can be reduced if not avoided.
With rising temperatures, Piddig town’s ongoing spring development in the hilly mountains of Maruaya village has sustained thousands of sunflowers and assorted lowland vegetables available for “pick and pay” or just to satisfy an instagram-worthy photo of selfie-craze visitors.
To produce an all-year round supply of vegetables and sunflowers which have been attracting tourists to visit Piddig’s farm tourism project, Guillen said they are thankful for an all-out support of national government agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development, among others, which have shared their resources to support Piddig’s national convergence project.
While two of their small water impounding dams in Barangays Abucay and Boyboy are already drained even before the onset of summer, Guillen said they continue to develop more springs to harness their full potential.
“We are lucky to have available sources of water which we are trying to develop to supply our water needs,” he said, citing water pipe laying construction is underway to ensure every household in Piddig town has a stable source of safe and clean water.
The former Piddig mayor further said solar water pumps are also being established in rainfed areas courtesy of the DA, along with the construction of more small water impounding dams in Barangays Dupitac, Lagandit, Libnaoan, and Ab-abut.
The Piddig government has prioritized the construction of small water impounding dams in Abucay, Sucsuquen, Tonoton, Tangaoan, Santa Maria, Calambeg, and Maruaya which has been tried and tested already as the locals’ saving grace during prolonged rainfall or drought.
“The construction of small water impounding dams works both ways for effective water management, including livelihood, as we also put tilapia fingerlings in it,” Guillen said.
He noted the low-lying areas, which used to be flooded, were spared due to the presence of dams which served as catchment facility while they could also use the same to irrigate farmlands during the dry season.
