CAGAYAN de Oro City Second District Representative Rufus Rodriguez has requested the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) for P60 million allocation for three communal irrigation projects in his district.
The P60 million, according to Rodriguez, will be used to complete the communal irrigation projects in Barangays Balubal, Tablon, and Indahag. The budget for the irrigation projects amounted to P20 million each.
Rodriguez said the aforementioned three barangays have been experiencing water shortages for their farm production.
He added that the irrigation systems will greatly help farmers increase their farm production, especially during the summer months.
The farmers can produce corn, cassava, vegetables, and other crops for sale, which would give them additional income, Rodriguez said.
Ricardo Visaya, NIA administrator, for his part, committed to include Rodriguez's request in the 2022 national budget.
Rodriguez has sought other needed assistance for fisherfolks and farmers, including fishing boats, fish pens, and fishing gears from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, scholarships for children of coconut farmers from the Philippine Coconut Authority, and goats and cattle from the National Dairy Authority.