Casecnan canal opens

SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ, Nueva Ecija — President Arroyo led the inauguration the other day of the 23.5-kilometer lateral canal under Phase 1 of the P6.7-billion irrigation component of the giant Casecnan multipurpose irrigation and power project.

Undersecretary Renato Diaz, presidential assistant for Central Luzon, who accompanied Mrs. Arroyo together with National Irrigation Administration (NIA) chief Arturo Lomibao, said the lateral canal forms part of the P1-billion contract package S2 of the five-package irrigation component.

Once completed, he said the lateral canal, of which 600 meters are concrete-lined, would channel irrigation to seven barangays in this city — Magtanggol, Bical, Cabisulucan, Poblacion North, Catalanacan, Bagong Sikat, and Balante — covering 1.406 hectares and benefiting 1,194 local farmers.

Complementing the lateral canal are a 17.768-kilometer, all-weather service road, 49 canal and drainage structures, and 18 pumps.