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.