29.87-M tall reservoir dam for irrigation to rise in Guimaras town

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By Danielle Parian-Pijuan

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) officially commenced the construction of Cabano Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP), the biggest irrigation project of the NIA Region 6 in the Province of Guimaras.

On March 23, 2022, the P875-million project, which involves the construction of a 29.87-meter tall Earthfill Reservoir Dam, held a groundbreaking ceremony led by the NIA Administrator Gen Ricardo R Visaya (Ret) at the Cabano SRIP Dam Gatekeeper’s Quarters, in Brgy. Aguilar, San Lorenzo Guimaras.

Joining Visayas was NIA’s new Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector, Ralph Lauren A. Du; NIA Region VI Regional Manager Engr. Rory F. Avance, and Iloilo-Guimaras Irrigation Management Office Division Manager Engr. Randy C. Alipis.

NIA’s Public Affairs and Information Staff Department Manager Eden Victoria Selva was also present to oversee and cover the event.

The dam and its appurtenant structures shall rise at Brgy. Aguilar in the Municipality of San Lorenzo. Its reservoir area of 3,280 hectares has a storage capacity of 3.69 million cubic meters (mcm) that can store sufficient water capable of year-round irrigation for 861 hectares of farmland covering Brgy. Cabano, Aguilar, Suclaran, Cabungahan, M. Chavez, and San Enrique in the Municipality of San Lorenzo, Guimaras.

Once completed, 1,304 farmers from the aforementioned barangays shall benefit from the project. The farmers compose three Irrigators’ Associations (IA) – CAMSANAG IA, Inc., Cabano BIDA, Inc., and Banaba-Tumanda IA, Inc. that were formed and institutionalized through the help and guidance of NIA Region VI.

As the biggest Irrigation Project in Guimaras, Cabano SRIP is expected to boost the agricultural productivity in the province to 3,625.5 tons of rice, which would help stabilize the domestic supply of rice. The project also includes the construction road networks that shall provide easy access for the delivery of agricultural products from the farm to local markets or ports.

Apart from improving the current agricultural production, the project also seeks to create employment opportunities for the locals, especially in the project-affected areas and overall help improve their quality of life.

In his speech, Administrator Visaya expressed his hope that this project will have a smooth implementation and may accomplish its target completion on February 14, 2025.

“Hindi lang magsasaka ang makapag benefit dito kundi lahat ng taga Guimaras. Itong Cabano Small Reservoir Irrigation Project ay malaking tulong para sa inyong lahat. Magtulong-tulong po tayo. Ayaw natin ng delay,” Visaya said.

He also emphasized that the project can be a source of income for the local government because NIA advocates for converting their irrigation facilities and areas into tourist destinations. Also, 10% of the total reservoir area can be used for other purposes such as aquaculture and recreational activities.

Through inter-agency convergence, Cabano SRIP aims to develop the full potential of Cabano River for the purpose of aquaculture, recreation, and tourism. The dam shall also serve as a flood-control implement as it shall store floodwater from the upstream and prevent a flood from cascading through the downstream areas.

The program was attended by the Presidents and members of the three Irrigators’ Associations, representatives of project-affected landowners, and Punong Barangay of barangays covered by the project.

Representatives of National Government Agencies and members of the Multi-Partite Monitoring Team for the project were also present for the event.

Per directive from Administrator Visaya, no politicians were invited in accordance with Omnibus Election Code and NIA Memorandum Circular No. 16, series 2022, which states that the Agency’s resources and official meetings shall not be used for any electioneering and partisan political activities during the 2022 National Elections.