QUEZON CITY -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the province of Albay recently turned over the Php 11.6-million worth of Manawan communal irrigation system which would benefit more than 200 farmers tilling 60 hectares of agricultural lands.

DAR-Bicol Regional Director Rodrigo Realubit said the communal irrigation project, implemented in partnership with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), was turned over to the Irrigators Association of Manawan and would supply water to rice lands within Barangay Manawan in the town of Camalig.

"The department will always support our farmers. Aside from the strategic location of this project and the technical expertise of NIA, it complements the mandate of the present dispensation to give its full support to the modern-day heroes of our time – the farmers," Realubit said.

The inauguration and turnover of the communal irrigation projects of DAR and NIA in Barangay Manawa.
 

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Maria Eugenia Alteza said the location of the project may be too remote but the DAR would still provide the farmers with projects to help them make their lands productive.

"I only ask for two things from you. One is the upkeep of the canal which the members of the association should maintain and second, is to further strengthen your association," Alteza said to the farmer-beneficiaries.

The Manawan Irrigator's Association believes that with the DAR and NIA's partnership, one can expect an efficient, reliable, and sustainable irrigation service would be provided to the Filipino farmers amidst the pandemic.

Manawan Barangay Captain Alma Clavecillas expressed her gratitude to both DAR and NIA saying that as living witnesses to the severe calamities that struck the province of Albay, the Manawan irrigation project is akin to an answered prayer which the residents have been longing for. (DAR)

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