Jul-Dec 2020 Volume x, Issue 2 The official newsletter of the National Irrigation Administration-CAR

hapid irrigation system gets newVolume X Issue facilities 2 Tebteb ni Cordillera 1 Story on page 2 farmers get new irrigation diversion dam Lamut, Ifugao – Farmers of Lamut, Ifugao can now have more reliable and efficient irrigation water delivery with the newly completed diversion dam of the Hapid Irrigation System in this town.

This was assured by Engr. Benito T. increase and can reach the firmed-up service area of Espique, Jr. during the inauguration of the said the system of 2,424 hectares. irrigation facility which was led by Hon. Solomon Chungalao, Representative of the Lone District of Ifugao, Hon. Jerry Dalipog, Governor, other local officials, regional heads of agencies and Irrigators’ Associations held in Brgy. Bimpal on October 1, 2020.

Hapid Irrigation System serves eleven barangays of the Municipality of Lamut. To date, it was able to irrigate 1,040 hectares, which is the target area for this wet season.

“We are more confident nowadays to cultivate our land because this diversion dam assures continuous flow of irrigation water,” said Pedro , Jr., one of the farmer-beneficiaries and member of the Irrigators’ Association.

Hapid IS, which was first declared open in Inauguration of the newly completed diversion dam of the Hapid Irrigation System in Lamut, Ifugao on October 1, 2020 is led by 2002, used to have a gravity intake-type diversion Hon. Solomon Chungalao, Representative of the Lone District of at the Ibulao River. While the system is operational, Ifugao, Governor Jerry Dalipog, NIA-CAR Regional Manager the NIA and the farmers encountered problems in Benito Espique, Jr., and NIA Ifugao Satellite Office Head Patrick the maintenance especially during calamity, and in Resurreccion witnessed by other local officials, regional heads of the dry season when water at the river meanders other agencies, NIA employees and farmer-beneficiaries away from the old intake. The system has a main canal of more than 28 With the clamor for a more stable structure, kilometers and lateral canal of 45 kilometers. Of these, the P70 million allocation for the diversion dam was only 8.68 kilometers is concreted at the main canal and finally funded in 2018 and it was completed in May only 13.65 kilometers at the lateral canal 2020. Resurreccion said that NIA has programmed According to Engr. Patrick Resurreccion, the continual concreting of main and lateral canals in provincial head of NIA-Ifugao Satellite Office, the the succeeding years to help in the efficient flow of irrigated area of Hapid Irrigation System can still irrigation water.

Irrigated area of Hapid Irrigation System in Sitio Landing

2 Tebteb ni Cordillera Volume X Issue 2 Ifugao leaders, regional agency heads lead groundbreaking of pump irrigation project 2020 contracts

Alfonso Lista, Ifugao— Groundbreaking ceremony of this year’s project contracts of the Alfonso Lista Pump Irrigation Project (ALPIP) is led by Hon. Solomon Chungalao, Representative of the Lone District of Ifugao, Governor Jerry Dalipog, Vice-Governor Glenn Prudenciano, Alfonso Lista Mayor Edralin Alipio and NIA-CAR Regional Manager Benito Espique, Jr. together with DPWH-CAR Director Khadaffy Tanggol, Office of the Civil Defense-CAR Director Albert Mogol, Engr. Abraham Collado of ASC Construction and Concrete Products and Rev. Fr. Constancio Abbugao on October 3, 2020. Hon. Solomon Chungalao, Representative of the Lone District of Ifugao, Governor Jerry Dalipog, Vice-Governor Glenn Prudenciano, Alfonso Lista Mayor Edralin Alipio and The project aims to NIA-CAR Regional Manager Benito Espique, Jr. lead the Groundbreaking of this year’s irrigate a target service area of project contracts of the Alfonso Lista Pump Irrigation Project together with officials of 2,300 hectares in four barangays DPWH-CAR, Office of Civil Defense, the winning contractor and of Alfonso Lista, namely, Sto. Rev. Fr. Constancio Abbugao on October 3, 2020. Domingo, Namnama, Calupaan, Namillangan. station, transbasin tunnel with a length of 513 meters, One of the big-ticket projects of NIA-CAR, 7.7 kilometers of main canal, 15.88 kilometers of lateral ALPIP will pump irrigation water from the Magat Dam to canals, 4.64 kilometers of service road, project building the service area through the construction of pump and and other facilities. sump intake, installation of five units of pumps, sub- “As it is a multi-year project which is being implemented in several years, its funding was also released gradually. This year, 2020, NIA is implementing the finishing components of ALPIP amounting to P460 million pesos, subdivided in seven contract packages,” said Engr. Espique, Jr.

ALPIP has a total project cost from 2012 to 2020 of P1.310 billion and is targeted to be completed by 2022.

“This project will fervently help realize the clamor of the people of Ifugao for irrigation, so we request for more funding and extension of the project to benefit the other barangays of Alfonso Lista,” appealed Congressman Chungalao to NIA.

After the groundbreaking, a ceremonial signing of contracts was conducted with the contractor.

Volume X Issue 2 Tebteb ni Cordillera 3 SOLAR PUMP. National Irrigation Administration turns over the just completed Romuladez Solar Pump to Sitio Aba Irrigators’ Association (IA) of , as Hon. Allen Jesse Mangaoang (4th from left), Representative of the Lone District of Kalinga, NIA-CAR Regional Manager Benito Espique, Jr. 6th from left), Kalinga IMO Manager Ronilio Cervantes (4th from right), IA President Antonio Santiago (5th from right) and other IA officers and stakeholders take a souvenir photo with the Solar Pump as background. Solar pump project turned over to Irrigators in Kalinga Rizal, Kalinga—No electricity utilized. No diesel can equate to P270,000 in annual savings at P75 per consumed. Yet the irrigation pump in this town is working, hour in electricity bills,” said Engr. Ronilio Cervantes, and irrigation water is flowing abundantly for an average head of NIA-Kalinga Irrigation Management Office. of 9-10 hours a day. Engr. Cervantes shared that the project is This developed with the newly completed powered by 30 solar panels and installed with a Romualdez Solar Pump irrigation project in Rizal, Kalinga submersible pump of 7.5 horsepower lowered to a which was turned over to Sitio Aba Irrigators’ Association depth of 52 meters. With a nine to ten-hour operation for operation and maintenance in a simple ceremony on in a day, the solar pump has a minimum discharge of September 4, 2020. 200,000 liters per day where more sunlight equates “The project uses the power of the sun to move more water. Also, two units of reservoir tanks were water, without the need for grid power or diesel, which constructed to store water from the solar pump.

Mr. Antonio Santiago, president of Sitio Aba Irrigators’ Association, said they can now cultivate their lands for rice and some high value crops for two croppings a year because of the Romualdez Solar Pump. The service area of six hectares which used to be rainfed were not tilled for some years due to lack of irrigation water. The project benefits 15 members.

“Solar pump projects for irrigation contribute in making lands productive and consequently helping feed the growing population of the . We hope for more projects like this in Kalinga,” said Hon. Allen Jesse Mangaoang, Representative of the Lone District of Kalinga and the guest of honor during the simple turnover ceremony. Engr. Benito T. Espique, Jr., NIA-CAR Regional Manager, and Engr. Ronilio M. Cervantes, the former Head of Kalinga Irrigation Ms. Remedios Dilag, one of the Management Office who is now assigned at the Regional Office after staunch proponents of the project, expressed turning over the position to Engr. Leonardo A. Lamangen, on October gratitude to the government thru the National 12, try the water from the newly completed Romualdez Solar Pump Irrigation Administration and Hon. Allen Irrigation Project in Romualdez, Rizal, Kalinga. Continued on page 5... 4 Tebteb ni Cordillera Volume X Issue 2 ...continued from page 4 Jesse Mangaoang, NIA and kalinga imos as well as Quinones Construction for the speedy completion of welcome new chiefs the project despite the pandemic. The project started in June 2020 and was completed in August.

Meanwhile, NIA-CAR Regional Manager Benito T. Espique, Jr. urged the Irrigators’ Association Hon. Allen Jesse Mangaoang, to strengthen their Representative of the Lone association with the District of Kalinga graces assistance of NIA and the inauguration of the newly hopes that the project Kalinga IMO completed Romualdez Solar will enhance livelihood Pump Irrigation Project and in the area because Engr. Leonardo Lamangen is now the new head of aims to have more projects like NIA Kalinga Irrigation Management Office after Engr. Ronilio it for the province. aside from farming, the service area can have M. Cervantes turns over the NIA flag as symbol of leadership in a simple ceremony held at NIA Kalinga IMO grounds, Bulanao, potential for fishpond, Tabuk City, October 12, 2020. hog raising and high value crops. Regional Manager Benito T. Espique, Jr. facilitated With a contract cost of P1.78 million, the turnover ceremony. Romualdez Solar Pump is funded under NIA’s Establishment of Groundwater Pump Irrigation Project Before his designation as Acting Division Manager of (EGPIP) CY 2020 allocation. Kalinga IMO, Engr. Lamangen was the head of Apayao IMO for about three years. Meanwhile, Engr. Cervantes will be reassigned to NIA Regional Office.

“Tebteb ni Cordillera” are Ibaloi words meaning Spring of the Cordillera. With the region dubbed as the “Watershed Cradle of Northern Philippines”, this paper hopes to see the headwaters of rivers in the North eternally and lavishly flow. Tebteb is also called Eb-eb, Apayao IMO Ob-ob, Bubon or Ub-bog in other parts of the Cordillera. Turnover of leadership of Apayao Irrigation Management Office is facilitated by Engr. Benito T. Espique, Jr., NIA-CAR Regional Manager, on October 13 as Engr. EDITORIAL STAFF Leonardo A. Lamangen, outgoing official, handed over the NIA Editorial Adviser flag as symbol of leadership to Engr. Samuel C. Bahiwag, the BENITO T. ESPIQUE, JR. newly designated Acting Division Manager. Editorial Consultants GRACE A. FANGED Prior to his new designation, Engr. Bahiwag was the MANUEL B. BUSTONERA chief of Engineering Section of NIA-CAR Regional Office. Editors MYLENE I. MALECDAN Among the responsibilities turned over to the new RITA L. AFIDCHAO HELEN T. LAOYAN head of Apayao IMO is the continuation of construction of the additional NIA office building in Flora, Apayao, the dedication/ Lay-out JEAN DOREE MAY B. ANANAYO blessing and ribbon-cutting of which was conducted earlier on the same day. Contributors MYLENE I. MALECDAN JEAN B. ANANAYO Vice-Governor and President of the CAR Federation of Tebteb ni Cordillera welcomes contributory articles, Irrigators’ Association, Hon. Remy Albano, Mayor Rodolfo Juan features and pictures. of the Municipality of Flora, Apayao and other local officials graced the simple turn over ceremony.

Volume X Issue 2 Tebteb ni Cordillera 5 Engr. Benito T. Espique, Jr. (third from left), NIA-CAR Regional Manager, is joined by Tuba Municipal Mayor, Hon. Clarita P. Sal-ongan, (fourth from left), Taloy Sur IA President, Mr. Dryan Ducat, and its members and other NIA officials for a photo ops during the Taloy Sur IA Grounbreaking Ceremony in Taloy Sur, Tuba, .

NIA breaks ground for 1st model farm in CAR Tuba, Benguet – First Model Farm will soon rise in Taloy extends gratitude to the Sur, Tuba, Benguet after its inauguration on November agency for the support 27, 2020. and claimed that the association is part of “The greenhouse project is a reward to the the NIA family. Taloy Sur Irrigators’ Association for their continuous outstanding performance not only in CAR but For achieving nationwide,” said NIA-CAR Regional Manager, exemplary performance Engr. Benito T. Espqiue, Jr. in his speech during the in managing the groundbreaking ceremony. operation and maintenance of its The model farm with one million project cost irrigation system, from the Irrigation Management Transfer Support Taloy Sur Irrigators’ Services (IMTSS) of NIA, will include the construction of Association was a 21-meter by 11-meter greenhouse, installation of drip conferred with Special irrigation and electrical wiring. Performance Award as Most Outstanding IA for The project will serve as a model for other the Year 2014. It was Mr. Bryan Ducat, Taloy Sur IA provinces in the region. It shall introduce new crops, adjudged fifth runner-up President, extends gratitude to techniques and technology. The drip irrigation adopts in the Annual Search for NIA for the great opportunity a water-saving technology in irrigation and provides 2015 Most Outstanding given to them in the construction favorable moisture in condition needed for plants IA nationwide, and Most of the first model farm in the region. growth. This also increases fertilizer efficiency as it Outstanding IA-First drips slowly to the roots, minimize evaporation, lessen Runner-up for the Year soil erosion and weed growth. 2016 (national level) under the communal irrigation system (CIS) category. Tuba Mayor, Hon. Clarita P. Sal-ongan, lauds the cooperation of the Taloy Sur IA and urged them to Taloy Sur IA maintains and operates the Taloy continue helping one another because according to Sur Communal Irrigation System located in Brgy. Taloy her, if there is no cooperation, nothing good comes in Sur, Tuba, Benguet which was first constructed in 1988 return. and rehabilitated after that big earthquake in 1990. The irrigation system was custom-built, composed Engr. Espique congratulates the members mainly of reservoir tanks and HDPE pipelines to serve of the Taloy Sur IA for their activeness and for the mountainous topography and distinctive crops of the achievements they have reached. One being Benguet. It supplies irrigation to vegetables such as recognized as outstanding IA nationwide for three sayote and Baguio beans as well as some cutflowers consecutive years. Espique added that the agency will such as rose and anthurium. Taloy Sur IA’s office which continue to assist IAs in irrigation development. was established through the organization’s fund raising activities is located at the 2nd View Deck along Marcos Meanwhile, Taloy Sur IA President, Brian Ducat, Highway in Taloy Sur, Tuba.

6 Tebteb ni Cordillera Volume X Issue 2 Kapangan Mayor urges protection of water source as NIA turns over completed irrigation system to farmers

Kapangan, Benguet—Plant, plant, plant activities must be conducted to protect the environment and water sources of farmlands. This was urged by Kapangan Mayor Manny Fermin to farmers and other barangay members during the turnover and acceptance ceremony of the Cayapes Communal Irrigation System (CIS) on November 24, 2020 in Brgy. Cayapes. Mayor Fermin encouraged everyone to plant trees, fruit bearing or forest trees, as the previous calamities are reminders that God has given us the responsibility as stewards of the land. He also urged the irrigators’ association with many members to work as one in the maintenance of the irrigation system. Mr. Pablo Mendoza, president of Cayapes Kapangan Irrigators’ Association (IA), Funded under the Extension/ signs the acceptance certificate for the Cayapes Communal Irrigation System Expansion of Existing Communal which was turnover to the IA for operation and maintenance, as witnessed by Irrigation System (EEECIS) CY 2020, Kapangan Mayor Manny Fermin, NIA-Benguet Satellite Office Head Godofredo Cayapes CIS was completed in Velaque, Brgy. Captain Erick Tuanan and other IA and barangay officials. August so that the farmers were able to utilize the completed facilities during the recent cropping season. the facilities such as regular cleaning of the canals,” said Paulita It is now officially turned over by the Yagyagan of NIA who delivered the message of NIA-CAR Regional National Irrigation Administration to Manager Benito Espique, Jr. the Cayapes Kapangan Irrigators’ Association that will now be in charge Meanwhile, Engr. Godofredo Velaque, Provincial Head of NIA in the operation and maintenance of Benguet Satellite Office, said that Cayapes CIS is one the 26 irrigation the irrigation system. projects for 2020. He added that for CY 2021, the province has 28 projects with a total allocation of P95.423 million distributed in the The Cayapes CIS generated different municipalities of Benguet. an additional service area of 13 hectares and benefit 45 farmers. Other facilities of the irrigation system Portion of the lined canal of Cayapes Communal Irrigation System were earlier funded and constructed in 2012 and 2015. The main features of the irrigation system funded this year include 320-meter concrete canal, more than one kilometer HDPE pipelines, 3 reservoir tanks and other structures. “As the irrigation system is already turned over to the association, policies must be crafted in relation to the use and maintenance of

Volume X Issue 2 Tebteb ni Cordillera 7 Pump project benefits 75 Sablan farmers Sablan, Benguet—About 75 farmer-members of the DAMS Irrigators and Farmers Association in this town now have a new irrigation system for operation and maintenance after the National Irrigation Administration-CAR turned over to them the completed Pongew Creek Alog Sablan Small Irrigation Project (SIP) in Brgy. Kamog on December 4, 2020.

Completed in May 2020, facilities of the irrigation project turned over comprise of 7 reservoir tanks, 5.14-kilometer pipelines, one set pump with pumphouse and other accessories with a total civil work cost of more than 2.7 million pesos funded under the Small Irrigation Project.

“The project is a big help to us farmers in our gardens,” said Oliver Pa-ay, president of the DAMS Irrigators’ Association. He added that he hoped there will be additional project to cover the other areas which were not reached by the irrigation system.

The irrigation project has a service area of 15 hectares, usually cultivated for cutflowers, and other high value crops. Oliver Pa-ay, president of the DAMS Irrigators’ Association, affixes his signature in the acceptance document during the Sablan Mayor Manuel Munar urged the members blessing and turnover of the of the Pongew Creek Alog Sablan Small Irrigation Project in Sablan, Benguet on December 4, for the maintenance of the water source to sustain 2020. irrigation water and the proper management of the irrigation system to avoid conflicts in the future. always open for requests of projects subject to validation.

Meanwhile, Engr. Benito Espique, Jr., Regional Also in attendance during the blessing and Manager, hoped that the members strengthen their turnover of the Pongew Creek Alog Sablan SIP are Vice association and prove that they can be good stewards Mayor Arthur Baldo, Councilors Cornelio Almacin and of the irrigation system as they have big roles in the Alfredo Dacumos, Kamog Brgy. Captain Patrick Lete, operation and maintenance of projects especially that farmer-beneficiaries, and officials from the Municipal theirs is a pump system. He added that the NIA office is Agriculture Office.

Implementers and various stakeholders of the Pongew Creek Alog Sablan Small Irrigation Project in Sablan, Benguet bless the irrigation facilities before the system is turned over to DAMS Irrigators’ Association on December 4, 2020.

8 Tebteb ni Cordillera Volume X Issue 2