P 970M Hibale SRIP breaks

Ground, helps 800 farmers

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—The Provincial Government’s commitment to food security and self-sufficiency inches a notch as the National Irrigation Administration 7 (NIA-7), broke ground for the P970 million Hibale Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) in Hibale Danao, Bohol, July 4.

Designed to serve 405 hectares of prime rice lands cultivated by about 800 farmers, Hibale SRIP’s 33.7 meters zoned earth fill dam in Catobo-an Creek, a tributary of the Wahig Inabanga Watershed, will supply the much needed irrigation in the otherwise rain-fed rice paddies in Hibale, Nahud, Poblacion and Santo Niño here in Danao, Bohol.

“This project is an essential part of our on-going efforts together with our partner agencies such as the NIA-7, in providing sufficient irrigation for our farmers and boosting agricultural productivity in the countryside,” Bohol governor Erico Aristotle said.

Committing to focus on agriculture and food security in his second term, Aumentado stressed his resolve to support the project which was envisioned by his father in 1991.

“We are extremely committed to making Bohol a food-secure and self –sufficient province, and Hibale SRIP lays the groundwork for achieving that goal,” he said.

Envisioned by both then governor Erico along with NIA Provincial Irrigation Officer Engr Calixto Seroje, with feasibility and engineering studies done, the project started implementing in 2018, when access roads, field office, institutional development, parcellary mapping and survey, acquisition of road right of way and irrigation facilities planning started signalling project implementation, according to NIA-7 Project in Charge Engr. Daniel Mananquil.

The ground-breaking of the construction of the zoned-earth-fill dam and its appurtenant structures was awardee aftert a competitive bidding, to Sta. Clara International Corporation in 2024, which eyes the project to be completed in 2028.

Leading the ground breaking were Gov Aumentado, Bohol District 2 Representative Maria Vanessa C. Aumentado, Danao Mayor Maria Celeste Cepedoza-Lerion, NIA-7 acting Regional Manager Engr. Antonio Gujeling, NIA Engineering and Operations Division Chief Nelson Doliente, Santa Clara International Project Manager Engr. Glenn Maquiran, other top NIA officials as well as barangay chairmen Valentin Doroy (Poblacion), Andie Lapore (Nahud), Lorjo Torrenueva (Sto Niño) and Brigida Busalanan (Hibala).

“With sure water supply for irrigation, we may be able to produce more, especially now with the technologies that we can implement having solved our primary problem in irrigation,” Hibale-Nahud IA president Reynaldo Margate was quoted in reports.

Also witnessing the ceremonies were beneficiaries irrigation association (IA) president Eliseo Gumban of Kaandalus-Danao Irrigators Association, IA president Reynaldo Margate of Hibale Nahud Farmers Irrigators Association, IA president Jose Lofranco of Danao-Maribela Irrigators Association Inc.

The gathering of the stakeholders also inspired Aumentado who called on for collaboration and partnerships especially in food security and self-sufficiency through agriculture.

“As we envision a brighter future for our province, let us continue working together in creating the right conditions for our local communities to flourish by supporting our agricultural sector,” he urged.

To the farmers, the governor said he was inspired by them and promised to continue to walk with them every step of the way.

“Under our administration, I promise to you, you humble friend and the Provincial Government will not stop in supporting and nurturing you, because we have seen your sacrifices, and that is why it is our responsibility to help you attain better lives,” the governor said.

As I pledged during my second inaugural speech, agriculture will take on a greater role in our pursuit of a smart, relilient and inclusive province, the governor bared. (PIABohol)

FOR 800 FARMER FAMILIES. The government through the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Rgion 7 and Gov Erico Aristotle Aumentado bury the capsule containing the plans of the P970 M small reservoir irrigation project in Hibale, as NIA officials and the provincial government see rice production boost from this region, when the dame becomes operational in 2028. This should help farmers improve their lives economically and edge into higher self-sufficiency level.