Pudtol, Apayao—The completed Pudtol Solar Irrigation Pump Project in Brgy. Swan will now be operated and maintained by the Samahang Nayon ng Apayao (SANA) Federation of Irrigators’ Association after a simple turned-over ceremony was conducted at the project site on January 14, 2022.
The Pudtol Solar Pump, funded under NIA’s Establishment of Groundwater Pump Irrigation Project (EGPIP) 2021, currently irrigates 10 hectares of farm lands.
NIA-Apayao IMO Acting Manager, Engr. Samuel C. Bahiwag, led the turnover ceremony where the Irrigators’ Association headed by its President, Mr. Agustin T. Calixto, accepted the responsibility of operating and maintaining the irrigation system.
SANA FIA Vice President Reynald Burigsay expressed gratitude to NIA for the completed project and urged his fellow IA and farmers to sustain the project for their benefit.
Engr. Samuel C. Bahiwag, Acting Division Manager of Apayao IMO, informed that it is now the responsibility of Irrigator's Association (IA) to monitor and maintain the facility of the completed Pudtol Solar Pump.
Bahiwag added that as part of the devolution, NIA programmed three years to turn-over to Local Government Units (LGUs) the existing Communal Irrigation Systems (CIS) in the province for their management and supervision, where IAs will manage while LGUs will supervise. He assured that NIA will still assist on technical matters as partners in the development of new irrigation projects.
Hon. Hector Reuel D. Pascua, municipal mayor of Pudtol, said that the Pudtol Solar Pump gives pride to the Municipality and will give better life to its beneficiaries. He also encouraged all stakeholders to work together for the preservation of the project.
The turnover started with a ceremonial blessing by Rev. Adonis Z. Gorospe, Sr. and was also graced by Pudtol Municipal Mayor Hector Reuel D. Pascua, Brgy. Captain Oscar C. Villanueva, Jr., Apayao Vice-Governor/NCIA President Remy N. Albano, members of Irrigators Associations, and Apayao IMO employees. // Divina Guillermo, PRO-Designate, Apayao IMO
Photo Caption 1: With Apayao River as water source, the Pudtol Solar Pump irrigation project irrigates —- hectares benefitting —- farmer-beneficiaries. The project will now be operated by the Irrigators’ Association after its turnover on January 14,2022.
Photo Caption 2: Hon. Hector Reuel D. Pascua, municipal mayor of Pudtol, Apayao IA President Agustin T. Calixto, and Apayao Vice-Governor/NCIA President Remy N. Albano witnessed the test run of the Pudtol Solar Irrigation Pump Project in Brgy. Swan during its turnover to the IA on January 14, 2022.
Photo Caption 3: The lined canal of the Pudtol solar pump project was blessed by Rev. Adonis Z. Gorospe, Sr. before its turnover to the Samahang Nayon ng Apayao (SANA) Federation of Irrigators’ Association on January 14, 2022.