The Poblacion SWIP and the Cabaroan SWIP in Brgys. Poblacion and Esmeralda in Balungao has been inaugurated today in a brief ceremony attended by Sec. William D. Dar with ASec Noel Reyes, Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications, and Local Officials headed by 6th District Representative Tyrone Agabas and Balungao Mayor Ma. Theresa Peralta, among others.
Said projects are expected to irrigate minimum service area of 87 hectares and 45 hectares respectively and will directly benefit a total of 120 farmers in Balungao, Pangasinan.
The Poblacion SWIP is funded under the DA’s National Rice Program worth P23.8M while the Cabaroan SWIP is funded thru the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management’s locally funded projects – Rainwater Harvesting System Facilities and is worth P12.9M.
BSWM locally funded projects – RWH Facilities
With the completion of both irrigation systems, Balungao Mayor, Ma. Theresa R. Peralta is optimistic that farmers within the area will be able to increase their production and yield as they will be able to plant for a second and third cropping.
To add value to the establishment of the SWIP, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources also provided 60,000 pieces of tilapia fingerlings dispersed in the said SWIP worth Php30,000.00 for additional livelihood of the farmer-beneficiaries.
Following the inauguration of the irrigation facilities, Sec. Dar also visited the National Integrated Fisheries Development Center in Bonuan, Dagupan City, Pangasinan and inspected its various facilities catering to marine and aquaculture production and development.###
