NIA names 3 dams that may

have problems with ‘El Nino’

TAGBILARAN CITY Bohol (PIA)— The National Irrigation Administration said there are three irrigations systems in Bohol that would not sustain in providing water until the crops can be harvested, but the same agency assures: Malinao in Pilar and Bayongan Dam in San Miguel will have sufficient water for this upcoming cropping season.

This as the state weather bureau, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA), last April 22, has updated its El Niño Watch to El Niño Alert, which forecasts with the probability of 79 percent, that the dry spell to be felt starting in two months.

El Niño, a weather phenomenon that shows unusually warm ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, produces long dry seasons, fewer rains and generally affects local food production.

In Bohol, where there are still huge tracks of rice lands that are beyond irrigation service areas, a long dry spell means lesser chances of successful cropping, especially in rain-fed areas.

NIA-7 Bohol Cebu Siquijor Irrigation Management System Engineering, Construction and Operations Section chief Engr. Evaristo Borja said, after listening to the state weather bureau forecasts and based on the systems management committee meetings plus validations and assessment of the water levels of the irrigation facilities and its capacities, with the El Nino, there are irrigations systems that can not sustain irrigation service until the crops reach their terminal stage.

He named three Small Reservoir Impounding Systems of Ilaya in Ubay, Ilihan in Tubigon and Tugas-Can-olin in Candijay as those facilities which may encounter irrigation water shortage.

To this, the NIA has decided on a revision of their original cropping calendar, for an early release of water from its reservoirs.

This would allow farmers to work on their farms ahead of the usual cropping schedule, to get the better season yet.

Engr Borja said the release of water may not be simultaneous however, but based on the volume and quantity of the water in the reservoir.

He said NIA would have an early release, this week, of the irrigation water in Ilaya Dam in Ubay and Ilihan Dam in Tubigon, where the irrigation administration has prioritized the Department of Agriculture-established 100 hectare demonstration farms.

While Ilihan can serve 191 hectares, this time, even with the proper water management, and with the dam nearly spilling, the NIA official said they have asked the DA to plant high value commercial crops in the remaining farms where the irrigation may not be able to serve, owing to the possible low water levels in the reservoir if the rains do not come.

He added that the same would be adopted in Tugas Can-olin Small Reservoir Impounding System where sustaining the irrigation requirements could be hampered by possible lack of rains.

Our area there is 260 hectares, but this week, we will meet and finalize with irrigators association officers to decide how much would be served while we would recommend the same high value commercial crops for the remaining areas, which can not be served by the water, he explained.

NIA also assured that the SRIS in Tugas Can-olin can serve over a hundred hectares.

To this, the NIA official requests partner agencies like the DA and the provincial government to also set an early release of the seed subsidies so that the farmers can plant earlier and still get the best of the remaining season before the dry season peaks. (PIAbohol)

EARLY WATER RELEASE. NIA 7 Engineering, Constructiopna nd Operations Section Chief Engr. Evaristo Borja (rightmost) said for dams with water volumes not sufficient to irrigate the entire coverage areas, NIA would recommend planting of high value commercial crops which do not need as much water as rice, with the impending El Nino and the altered cropping calendar which NIA suggested. (PIAbohol)