By KIT BAGAIPOThe National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is optimistic that fund releases of the soon-to-be-completed Bohol Irrigation Project Stage 2 (BHIP-2) that has been questioned by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) will be given a "green light" by Pres. Gloria Arroyo.
BHIP-2 project manager Modesto Membreve said the government must fulfill its commitment to some 3,605 farmers in the towns of San Miguel, Ubay and Trinidad who are awaiting the completion of the irrigation project.
"The president should think twice because this is a social project to uplift the living condition of our poor farmers," Membreve stressed.
"Through the help of Gov. Erico Aumentado and by our farmer-beneficiaries," he said, funding for final stages of the BHIP-2 will be released.
BHIP-2 fund releases was blocked by Socio-economic and Planning Sec. Romulo Neri due to its cost over-runs, calling it the most expensive irrigation project of the country.
Membreve and local NIA officials invited members of the local media to the BHIP-2 (Bayongan Dam system) in San Miguel and Ubay last Wednesday to discuss the project's construction, budget and operation details.
The BHIP-2 project manager explained that although the Office of the Corporate Government Counsel, which is tasked to review and represent the NIA as a government owned and controlled corporation, is convinced that the project should be pursued, the opinion of the Department of Justice (DOJ) is still being sought by NEDA.
Pres. Arroyo, according to Membreve, has assured to inaugurate the project once it has achieved the required water level in its reservoir.
During the media visit, NIA officials showed that the Bayongan Dam itself is 100% completed.
An ongoing construction of the dam's canals going to its service areas and farmlands is already over 80% completed. This includes the leveling of lands that will be converted into ricefields.
A canal going to the existing Capayas Dam in Ubay is also near completion.
The BHIP-2 will be serving 5,300 hectares of ricefields including 750 hectares being served by the Capayas Dam.
BHIP-2 has an economic internal rate of return (EIRR) of 15.58%.
Despite its very small catchment area, BHIP-2 has only 11.2 sq. km., most of its reservoir supply will come from excess water coming from the Malinao reservoir, BHIP-Stage I, with a catchment area of 138.8 sq. km.
It is estimated that about 63.5 MCM of water per year will be transferred from Malinao to the Bayongan Dam with more excess water released into the river systems in the area.
(The Bohol Chronicle, June 24, 2007)Linkback:
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Topic: Green light for Bohol dam project? (Read 956 times)