JICA extends P2.66-B irrigation ODA to Phl

MANILA, Philippines - Japan’s foreign aid arm has pledged to provide ¥6.18 billion (approximately P2.657 billion) in official development assistance (ODA) to support the rehabilitation of irrigation facilities damaged by Typhoon Yolanda.

In a statement, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced that it has partnered with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) for the National Irrigation Sector Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (NISRIP).

JICA said the project would support the Philippine government’s goal to attain sufficiency in rice.

The project entails the upgrade and rehabilitation of existing irrigation facilities, strengthening of irrigators’ associations, and provision of agricultural support.

“Through this project, JICA envisions to contribute to the Philippines’ food security, and improve the living standards of more than 20,000 Filipino farmers,” said JICA Senior Representative Sachiko Takeda.

Noting that the local agriculture sector employs a third of the population, JICA said increasing agricultural productivity

would provide more employment opportunities and boost agribusinesses.

The project aims to restore irrigation to 11, 501 hectares farmlands and rehabilitate the production capacity of 24, 160 hectares of agriculture lands.

The rehabilitation project covers 11 national irrigation systems in 10 provinces including the Malatgao river irrigation system (RIS) in Palawan which was damaged by ‘Yolanda.’

Other major irrigation system to be covered by the rehabilitation program include the Madongan and Solsona RIS in Ilocos Norte, San Fabian RIS in Pangasinan, Porac-Gumain RIS in Pampanga, Dumacaa RIS in Quezon, Sta. Barbara RIS in Iloilo, Muleta RIS in Bukidnon, Mal RIS in Davao del Sur, Lambayog RIS in Maguindanao-Sultan Kudarat, and Simulao RIS in Agusan del Sur.

Since 1974, JICA has supported several ODA projects of NIA, including the Groundwater Irrigation Project (1974-80), Bohol Irrigation Project I & II (1983-2009), Central Luzon Irrigation Project (1998-2009), and Bago River Irrigation System Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (2002-10).

Early this year, JICA also launched a technical cooperation project with NIA which focuses on improving operations and maintenance of the country’s national irrigation systems.

After the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas, the Philippines is not expected to attain self-sufficiency in rice this year. – With Ted Torres