Pangasinan – Ten Small Water Impounding Projects (SWIPs) that are set to benefit 618 farmers from the municipality of Balungao, Pangasinan will be inaugurated during Agriculture Sec. William Dar’s visit Friday.
A total of P162.6 million worth of SWIP will be handed to farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in eight barangays of Balungao namely Angayan Sur (69 hectares), Esmeralda (136.5 and 42 ha.), Kita-Kita (65 ha.), Mabini (24 and 88.3 ha.), Masa Florenda (50 ha.), Pugaro (120 ha.), San Andres (65.5 ha.) and San Aurelio (35 ha.).
Engr. Dennis Tactac of the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) of DA-RFO I said that the said barangays are rainfed areas, hence the establishment of the SWIPs warrants the availability of water even on dry seasons.
Three of the SWIPs were rehabilitated and funded under the National Rice Program in 2016 and 2018, and Regular Agency and Calamity Funds in 2019.
Meanwhile, the newly-constructed SWIPs are funded under the Rice Program in 2018 while the other projects were established since 2015.
With the continuous water supply to irrigate the farms, the projects enable the farmers to prepare for the second and even third cropping, and ensures the increase in their production and income. ###
Photo credit: Regional Agriculture and Engineering Division
