Construction of PHP 30 Million Water Storage Irrigation Project in Kalinga Province, Philippines Completed

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On November 7, the Philippine Department of Agriculture announced that the Bulo-Magasusu Small Water Impounding Project in Bulo Village, Tabuk City, Kalinga Province, has been officially completed. The project involves an investment of approximately PHP 30 million and will provide irrigation services to 85 hectares of farmland operated by 35 farmers. The project includes a 13-meter-high dam, an 18-hectare water storage area, 1.75 kilometers of irrigation canals, and a 94-meter outlet pipe. An inauguration ceremony was held on November 5.

The project was implemented by the Philippine Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Soils and Water Management, with funding from the Highland Irrigation System and Small Water Impounding Project Construction Program supported by local fiscal resources for fiscal year 2024. The project utilizes a 177-hectare catchment area to collect surface runoff, stores water through impounding facilities, and then delivers water to surrounding farmland via outlet pipes and irrigation canals.

The project serves an area of 85 hectares, primarily targeting local agricultural land used for rice and other crops. The 18-hectare water storage area serves the function of water storage, the dam is responsible for intercepting and impounding water flow, and the canals and outlet pipe constitute the supporting facilities for delivering water to farmland. Local farmers can use the stored water to schedule irrigation, reducing their dependence on natural rainfall and fuel-powered pumping equipment.

The facility is located in Kalinga Province, Cordillera Administrative Region, in the northern Philippines. Local agricultural production is susceptible to seasonal rainfall variations, and water shortages during the dry season increase farmland irrigation costs. Small water impounding projects provide supplementary water sources for areas inadequately covered by traditional irrigation systems by centrally storing rainwater and surface runoff.

In addition to agricultural irrigation, the water storage facility also has conditions for aquaculture use. Local government departments conducted fingerling stocking during the project inauguration activities to explore the comprehensive utilization of water storage resources. Subsequent facility maintenance will involve the local Magasusu Small Water Impounding System Association to ensure that the dam, canals, and water storage area continue to function effectively.