SAN JOSE, Antique – The construction of P260 million worth of irrigation projects in Antique is underway even if funds are yet to be released to the winning contractors, said Engr. Randy Alipis, acting division manager, National Irrigation Administration, Antique Irrigation Management Office.

"While the documents for release of funds are still on process, contractors for the project took the initiative of starting to make use of the good weather (sunny weather), so that the projects will be done on time," said Alipis.

"The rainy months of June and July, will certainly delay construction work and it will adversely affect the farmers who badly need the irrigation system for their farmlands. Summer months are the best time to work double time" he explained.

NIA disclosed that the P260-million fund is intended for several communal irrigation systems (CIS) from the towns of Anini-y to Libertad, covering about 3,700 hectares of farmlands involving at least 7,000 small farmers.

"When repair/rehabilitation work is completed, we expect an increase in cropping intensity from 140 percent in a year to 200 percent," he said.

Alipis said the project is a big boost to the food security program of the government, and noted that Antique has been a surplus province in terms of rice production.

NIA Regional Manager Gerardo Corsiga and NIA Administrator Antonio Nangel vowed to speed up the repair and rehabilitation of NIA projects in Antique.

With this, Alipis appealed to farmers/irrigators associations to participate in the implementation of projects in their areas and watch closely the quality of the work, to ensure that structures confirm with the standard set.

The local government officials are also encouraged to designate point persons in the monitoring team, Alipis concluded.*PIA