The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) launched its equipment refleeting program Wednesday with the distribution of P776 million worth of excavators to irrigators’ associations (IAs) across the country.
“These will be used by our irrigators’ associations for desilting their canals, for repairing their irrigation, so that it can further contribute to the development of our food security,” said acting NIA administrator Eduardo Eddie Guillen.
The program aims to improve the country’s irrigation systems and boost agricultural production. The first tranche of the program saw the procurement of 141 units of excavators, including 102 units of 0.5 cubic excavators, 17 units of 1 cubic excavators, 17 units of long arm excavators, and 5 units of amphibious excavators.
The excavators will be used by irrigator associations for desilting canals, repairing irrigation systems and improving food security.
Representatives from irrigator associations in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao received the excavators at the Naval Supply Depot (NSD) Compound in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City. Simultaneous events were also held in Cebu City and Davao City.
The equipment refleeting program is a three-tranche program with a total budget of P2.59 billion. It aims to augment the country’s inventory of irrigation equipment, intensify the operation and maintenance of national irrigation systems, and immediately repair or construct irrigation facilities damaged by natural disasters.
The second tranche involves the purchase of 138 units of excavators, 28 units of dump trucks, and 17 units of truck-tractors with trailer. The third and final tranche will see the procurement of various types of heavy equipment.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that effective irrigation systems would boost local agricultural production by 30 percent. He also urged various government agencies to work together to ensure continuous water supply for farmers.
“Rest assured that we will continue to explore all possibilities for the continuous distribution of water to ensure that our lands remain fertile and productive. Let us continue to unite and work together. Let us develop, modernize, and improve our agriculture sector so we can achieve a food-secure and prosperous future for all Filipinos,” President Marcos said.