A dream has become a reality in Lawaan, Eastern Samar.
The completion of the irrigation project in Barangay Taguite marks a significant step forward for the local farming community.
Engr. Rizalina Gallarde, the acting Irrigation Management Office Manager for the Eastern-Western Samar Irrigation Management Office, officially turned over the completed project to the Taguite Irrigators Association, Inc. on Friday, July 26.
This development holds the promise of a brighter and sustainable future for the rice farmers.
Reliant On Rainwater
Edgardo Gabornes, the president of the Taguite Irrigators Association, Inc., shared that in the past, they were solely reliant on rain for their rice cultivation, limiting them to just one annual planting.
With the completion of the irrigation project, Gabornes stated that water will now flow continuously into their rice fields throughout the year, opening up the opportunity for them to plant rice even during the dry season.
The project, implemented in two phases with a total cost of ₱6 million, was funded by the Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF) provided by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
Celso Cidro, the chief of the Program Beneficiaries Development Division (PBDD) of the DAR Eastern Samar Provincial Office, emphasized that irrigation intervention is a top priority for Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, which explains the realization of this project.
Sourced From The River
Engr. Benjie Guarino detailed that the project encompassed the construction of over 200 meters of a concrete main canal, 30 meters of a flume, a carabao crossing, and a turnout in the first phase.
In the second phase, an additional 228 meters of a concrete main canal, 204 meters of a lateral canal, a turnout, a head gate, and a carabao crossing were built.
This infrastructure now enables the supply of water, sourced from the Taguite River, to approximately 30 hectares of rice fields.
In his acceptance message, Gabornes expressed his gratitude for making this project a reality, which will benefit the 50 members of the Taguite Irrigators Association, Inc., 38 of whom are agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).
Gabornes also highlighted that aside from the continuous water supply, the project will also serve as flood control during heavy rains.
This DAR-funded irrigation project is set to transform the lives of the rice farmers in Lawaan, providing them with increased opportunities for agricultural productivity and a more sustainable future.
(Photo courtesy of Jose Alsmith L. Soria)
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