Friday, July 04, 2008 Rural program focuses on irrigation, water
THE realization that water is life has prompted the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) to tap water not only in sustaining life but also in boosting food production in the island-region.
As part of the agreement for the 50:50 innovative cost-sharing scheme the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) has reallocated the Performance-Based Grant System (PBGS) fund of US$15.752 million to the rural infrastructure component of the MRDP.
Of the amount, US$10 million will be reallocated to purely water and irrigation subprojects.
MRDP program director Roger Chio said the reallocation of the PBGS fund underscored the need to prioritize implementation of rural infrastructure projects for the program to respond to challenges of boosting food production.
"Mindanao, being typhoon-free, should take a lead in food production. But one of the underlying constraints of the island-region in increasing food production is the lack of adequate infrastructure particularly irrigation system," Chio said.
MRDP on its second phase is set to implement the rehabilitation of irrigation systems as well as the construction of communal irrigation systems projects.
"The construction of these irrigation projects will be done through a cost-sharing scheme with LGUs. Now that the 50:50 cost-sharing scheme has been approved, we urge our LGUs officials to partner with us in putting up more irrigation facilities so that we can enhance food production in Mindanao," Chio said.
Aside from meeting food security requirements, MRDP will also address the need for basic necessity particularly water in some areas in Mindanao.
"A Mindanao-wide consultation revealed that access to potable water supply remains a priority. With this, MRDP will be working on the rehabilitation and construction of Level 2 water systems," Chio said.
Providing rural communities access to improved water source is also part of government's commitment to meet the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals.
Moreover, potable water supply will not only eliminate water-borne diseases in the rural areas but will also allow residents to engage in other economic activities instead of fetching water from far-flung areas.
"Now that the funds are available and favorable cost-sharing scheme had been approved, we urge our partners in the LGUs to seize this opportunity so that we can address the pressing needs of our rural folks and help boost food production," Chio said. (Press release)
