The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) said it inaugurated the San Isidro and Peñaranda Solar-Powered Pump Projects of the NIA Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (UPRIIS) Division IV in Nueva Ecija last July 27.
NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya, Deputy Administrator Romeo G. Gan, UPRIIS Department Manager Rosalinda B. Bote and Division IV Manager Wilfredo A. Balauro led the ceremonies in three solar-powered pump sites.
The event involved the unveiling of the building marker, ribbon cutting, ceremonial blessing of the solar powered pumps, ceremonial test run of the pumps, and a program wherein Visaya was the Guest of Honor and Speaker. Following immediately the program was a media briefing and awarding of plaque of appreciation by the Contractor Equator Energy Corp. by Col. Bernardo F. Fabula.
Joining also the celebration were the Division Managers and key staff from NIA Central Office and UPRIIS, Irrigators Associations (IA) Presidents Dante Lazatin (UCFIA President), Jaime Reyes of Peñaranda IA and Ricardo Pelayo of Malimba Bantog Manggahan IA, other local government unit (LGU) representatives, military and police chiefs and their men, partner stakeholders and some media personnel.
During the program proper, Reyes led the acceptance of the newly inaugurated Peñaranda solar-powered irrigation pump project and extended his gratitude to the NIA and UPRIIS officials for being one of the two IA-beneficiaries of these solar projects.
Bote said during her project overview that the installation of solar-powered pumps is part of the agency’s thrust to foster proficiency and resiliency for proficient irrigation service through innovations and modernizations as directed by the NIA Administrator. She added, “The use of innovative solar pumps helps reduce cost inputs in farms as it implores cost effective alternative power source. It therefore promotes poverty allevation and income increase among our partner IAs.”
The Peñaranda Solar Powered Pump Irrigation Project, whose main water source comes from the Peñaranda Dam through PENRIS Main Canal, is a P20.461-million project that is expected to provide reliable and proficient irrigation water supply in its 228.878-hectare service area located in Barangays Poblacion I, Poblacion II, Santo Tomas in Peñaranda, and Pambuan, Gapan City, benefiting a total of 114 farmer-members of Peñaranda IA.
The San Isidro Solar Powered Pump Project is in Brgy. Pulo, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. With a total project cost of P17,780.519.47, this project will benefit 159 farmer-beneficiaries and their families in 323.2762-hectare agricultural lands, covering the Barangays Pulo and Mangga in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. Its main water source is from Malimba Creek.
Visaya said during his speech that the construction of these solar projects is part of his “four-point agenda” particularly in instituting measures to improve the delivery of services.
“Modernizing the existing use of diesel-powered pumps or generators into solar-powered pumps will significantly benefit the farmers in the long-run because aside from its cost effectiveness and efficiency, these projects ensure year-round irrigation supply that may result to an increase in farm produce allowing third cropping season,” he said.
Visaya said he is targeting to set aside a budget of P1 billion for solar-powered pump projects in 2022.