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W. Visayas eyes 388 solar-powered irrigation systems

By Perla Lena

March 25, 2019, 9:06 pm

ILOILO CITY -- If the 6,200 solar powered irrigation systems (SPIS) national target of the Department of Agriculture (DA) will be equally distributed among all 16 regions in the country, Western Visayas is entitled to 388 units, or 65 in every province.

“We are preparing documents so that when our national office declares that there is available fund, then we are ready,” said Engr. Jose Albert Barrogo, chief of the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 6 (DA-RFU6) in an interview Monday.

He said they have communicated with local government units (LGUs) in the region for them to identify their water sources and submit a proposal for validation. Currently, his office is in possession of a proposal from Zarraga, Iloilo.

Barrogo added he is also waiting for proposals from Negros Occidental so DA can conduct the validation.

The sites of the SPIS are chosen based on the recommendation of farmers association and endorsed by their local government unit (LGU), and subject to validation by the RAED. 

The farmers’ association will also manage the SPIS after an appropriate training from the RAED.

The DA-RFU 6 has already identified 34 sites for SPES. The first nine SPIS funded in 2018 are about to be completed first quarter of 2019. 

The 2018-funded SPIS are being established at the Villa Salomon in Patnongon and at the Brgy. Igcocolo in Guimbal, Iloilo for corn and at the Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (WESVIARC) in Jaro; Hinigiran Negros Occidental; Sibalom, Antique; Pototan and Dingle, Iloilo; Jamindan, Capiz; and Madalag, Aklan for rice.

The DA is looking forward to launch the Sibalom SPIS in Sibalom, Antique after undergoing testing by Agricultural Machinery and Testing Center (AMTEC), Barrogo added.

Meanwhile, this 2019, DA RFU-6 is eyeing 15 additional SPIS as proposed in the 2019 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

“We are still waiting if the projects are included in the GAA,” Barrogo said.

As proposed, each project costs PHP7 million although DA RFU 6 considers a location-driven instead of a unified budget because each site has varied specifications.

The systems are proposed in Barangay Logohon, Madalag and Banga, all in Aklan; Barangays Durog and Baghari in San Jose and Barbaza towns of Antique, respectively; Barangay Alayunan, Maayon, Capiz; and Ilog, Kabankalan and at the Philippine Rice Institute in Murcia, all in Negros Occidental.

The bulk of the SPIS will be in Iloilo to be constructed in Durog, Miag-ao; Bantod Fabrica, Dumangas; Bangkal, Alimodian; Buenavista, Leon; Cunarom, Lambunao; Ubian, Janiuay; Tipolo, Duenas; and Buenavista, Leon.

Barrogo added should the projects will not get funding in the 2019 GAA, then they will propose them again in the 2020 budget.

However, come 2020, there will be additional 10 sites, which means that there will be already 25 SPIS.

“Together with our Director, we are working our best to support our farmers. We know that they need this especially at these times,” he said.

Barrogo also urged farmers to bring their irrigation concerns before the DA so the latter “could act properly” and implement proper interventions. (PNA)

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