MikeLigalig.com

Smarting from the controversy over the Bohol Irrigation Project stage II (BHIP II) or Bayongan Dam’s “excessive” cost over-runs, Agriculture Sec. Arthur Yap brushed aside another criticisms that the 3.6 billion-peso irrigation facility lacks water supply.

He said in an interview that Bayongan Dam in barangay Bayongan, San Miguel town has a lot of water sources. “So I think the local NIA officer can tell you what are these sources.”

The sarcasm spread like wildfire from reports that Pres. Arroyo was irked to see no water running from the outpour ducts when she turned the water valves in Bayongan, on a sweltering hot day last Oct. 12.

The DA boss’ statement came to allay apprehensions that insufficiency of much needed water supply to fill the dam, said to be the3rd biggest in the country, may not serve well the targeted 3,605 farmer-beneficiaries, who composed the 16 irrigators associations of the towns of Ubay, San Miguel and Trinidad.

Bayongan Dam or BHIP II was inaugurated October 12, 2007 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Earlier, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), then headed by Sec. Romulo Neri, said otherwise. “The success of the project depends on the ability of Malinao Dam to spill excess water to Bayongan Dam,” according item no. 27 of the Project Evaluation Report of NEDA Investment Coordinating Committee (ICC), signed by Roderick M. Planta,, OIC director PMS.

--published by the Bohol Standard

Chronicle writer Kit Bagaipo reported in last weds, newspaper that farmers will be getting money back for a dam with no dam water.

Imagine GMA was there recently giving inaugurations to the expensive project.

Is this an effect of El Nino?

I feel terribly bad for the farmers as they depended on the dam to be able to properly irrigate their rice patties.

God has a way to help our hard working farmers with or with out the dam.

Isnt it amazing that our country is surrounded with so many oceans and yet there is not enough water??? I feel so sorry for them too...