Apayao gets biggest share from P1.38B solar-powered pump irrigation projects in CAR

Tabuk City, Kalinga – The National Irrigation Administration-Cordillera is implementing P1.38 billion solar-powered pump irrigation projects in Cordillera this 2024.

Said solar projects, totaling 34, will be implemented this July, with some currently being implemented in five provinces in the Cordillera Region.

These are expected to benefit more than 1,700 farmers and serve a total of 1,350 hectares of rice fields.

Of these 34 projects, Apayao has the greatest share, getting 15 pump irrigation projects.

These include three for West Apayao Abulug Irrigation System benefiting Luna, Pudtol, Abulug, and Pamplona, Ayayao Communal Irrigation System in Calanasan, and Sitio 50 SPIP in Pudtol, Calbigan SPIP and Cabagguan SPIP in Luna.

The same projects will also be implemented in Tamalunog CIS and Malubibit Norte CIS in Flora, Kabugao Solar pump in Kabugao, Pugo Paddaoan CIS and Ripang CIS in Conner, San Carlos SPIP in Sta. Marcela and Sta. Filomena CIS in Calanasan.

For other provinces, Kalinga and some parts of Isabela will benefit from three projects to be installed in the Upper Chico River Irrigation System and one for Tabuk SPIP.

In Benguet, three will be constructed in Mankayan (Cada PIS), Tuba (Canit PIS), and La Trinidad (Swamp PIS).

For Ifugao, three municipalities will also be benefitting. These include Lamut (Hapid CIS), Asipulo (Camandag CIS), and Tinoc (Ahin Pula).

For Mt. Province, five will be implemented – one in Sabangan (DATA SPIP) and four in Paracelis -Amolong CIS, Bacarri SPIP, Butigue Cabulalaan CIS, and Bagwang CIS.

“These SPIPs will be installing about 113 solar-powered pumps, surface and drilled, with either 15 horsepower or 10 HP,” wrote NIA-Cordillera.

To recall, 21 solar solar irrigation projects were completed in the Cordillera Region last year.