BANGUED, ABRA - Irrigation damages in the Province of Abra caused by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake on July 27, 2022 will be prioritized for repair and restoration this month.
This was according to NIA-CAR Regional Manager Benito Espique, Jr. during his dialogue with various Irrigators’ Association leaders of the province at Camp Juan Villamor, Calaba, Bangued, Abra on August 2, 2022.
Espique said that the immediate repair of the damages is the marching order of the newly designated NIA Acting Administrator Benny Antiporda who was supposed to be with farmers and inspect the damages on August 2 but was unable to land due to the bad weather.
The cost of damages incurred by irrigation facilities is pegged at P193 million. Among these irrigation systems include the Abra River Irrigation System (ARIS), the only national irrigation system (NIS) in Abra, as well as six other communal irrigation systems in various municipalities. Also damaged is the ongoing building of the Abra Satellite Office which is supposed to be completed this August.
Abra League Municipalities of the Philippines President and La Paz Mayor Jb Bernos said that the immediate resumption of farming in the affected irrigation systems is a must as agriculture comprises of a minimum of 90% of the economy of Abra.
Up until the visit on August 2, almost a week after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake ravaged the North on July 27, several aftershocks are still being felt.
Programs of Works for the immediate repair of the irrigation damages in other provinces of CAR are also prepared for the request of funding.
It can be expected that the cost of damages will increase due to the aftershocks and validations to be conducted for inaccessible irrigation systems due to road blockages.
Meanwhile, Division Manager for Administrative and Finance Grace Fanged facilitated the transport and distribution of relief goods for NIA employees in the province.
Photo Caption 1: NIA-CAR Regional Manager Benito Espique, Jr., together with Engineering and Operations Division Manager Ronilio Cervantes and Administrative and Finance Division Manager Grace Fanged, dialogues with the irrigator-leaders of Abra on the earthquake damages to irrigation systems and their immediate repair at Camp Juan Villamor, Calaba, Bangued, Abra on August 2, 2022.
Photo Caption 2: Together with the affected farmers and some media, NIA-CAR Regional Manager Benito Espique, Jr. and Engineering and Operations Division Manager Ronilio Cervantes inspect portions of the damaged Abra River Irrigation System in Tayum. These are targeted to be restored this month.
Photo Caption 3: NIA-CAR Division Manager for Administrative and Finance Grace Fanged visits employees of Aabra Satellite Offices and delivered relief goods for distribution on August 2, 2022.