Long-time rain dependent areas in Aklan get irrigation
Rain-fed barangays in Ibajay, Aklan will now be serviced by irrigation with the inauguration of a 240 meter-long elevated concrete flume in Bgy Agdugayan.
Agdugayan is located between two diversion dams, namely, the San Jose Communal Irrigation System Diversion Dam and the Panakuyan River Irrigation System Diversion Dam.
National Irrigation Administration (NIA) 6 Director Edilberto Lomigo said these canals, however, do not pass through the area making the surrounding barangays totally dependent on rainfall.
Lomigo said the elevated flume, costing about P65 million, was designed as channel to augment the water supply coming from Ibajay River to Panakuyan River irrigation System.
Further, it runs across Ibajay and Panakuyan Rivers and will serve about 1,200 hectares of rice lands, covering the barangays of Capilijan, Laguinbanwa, Batuan and Agbago.
The NIA 6 chief said the project was initiated by Cong. Florencio Miraflores of the Lone District of Aklan, in 2008 and will be opened this June 10.
Lomigo said the project is another milestone for the agriculture sector and as stated in a Malacanang report, part of the more than 20,000 hectares of new irrigation generated all over the country, under the FIELDS program of the Arroyo administration. (NIA6/ PIA6/ ESS)
