CABANATUAN CITY – The National Irrigation Administration-Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems is in the thick of preparation for the anticipated Super El Niño, with all its divisions doubling down on efforts to mitigate the phenomenon’s impact, especially on the farming communities.
In preparation as well for Dry Crop 2027, NIA-UPRIIS Division V is actively undertaking desilting works and canal maintenance along the Super Diversion Canal to restore its hydraulic efficiency to provide efficient irrigation within the division’s service areas of San Jose City and the municipalities of Rizal, Llanera, Muñoz, Guimba, and Talugtug in Nueva Ecija, as well as Victoria in Tarlac.
NIA-UPRIIS Division III is also undertaking desilting works in Sto. Cristo, San Antonio and canal clearing in its Zone II area for the irrigation inflow set this Nov. 2 until March 15, 2027 for its Zone II-A and Zone II-B covering Aliaga, parts of Cabanatuan City and Santa Rosa, Cabiao, General Natividad, Jaen, Zaragoza, and San Antonio, all in Nueva Ecija.
The desilting of the Macanae Waterway is being undertaken by NIA-UPRIIS Division I to improve water flow and distribution within its service area of northern and central Nueva Ecija including the towns of Lupao, Llanera, Talavera, Sto. Domingo, Quezon, and Licab, San Jose City, and the Science City of Munoz.
The division has likewise conducted repair works on the damaged variable frequency drives of the Solar-Powered Pump Irrigation Projects located in Dulong Bayan, Quezon, Nueva Ecija, and Bantug, Science City of Muñoz.
These repair activities aim to restore the functionality of the pump units, enabling them to draw available groundwater and provide an alternative source of irrigation water amid the scarcity of water supply.
Recently, Division I turned over irrigation projects in Casulucan Este, Talavera, and San Jose City, marking the completion of the Construction of CHB Canal Lining at Lateral F4 of Kaipilan Irrigators’ Association and the installation of 10 solar-powered irrigation pumps, aimed at improving water delivery and providing sustainable irrigation solutions for local farmers.
NIA-UPRIIS Division IV opened the head gate of Lateral G2 in Peñaranda, Nueva Ecija last Oct. 28 to ensure its structural integrity and capacity to deliver irrigation water within its service areas Gapan City and surrounding municipal network laterals like Malapajo in San Miguel, Bulacan.
NIA-UPRIIS Division II Talavera and NIA-UPRIIS Interim Division VI continue to undertake proactive measures through desilting, canal clearing, vegetation removal, and maintenance of irrigation facilities to ensure efficient water conveyance and reliable irrigation delivery.
NIA-UPRIIS said it is taking all proactive measures to ensure the efficient conveyance and distribution of irrigation water, remove obstructions that may impede water flow, and repair damaged canal sections and structures that could contribute to water losses.
“All these, to maximize the utilization of available water resources and strengthen its readiness for prolonged dry conditions,” it stressed, commending the efforts of its field personnel and members of irrigators associations whose active participation in canal clearing and facility maintenance plays a vital role in promoting efficient water management within their respective service areas.
“This collaboration between NIA personnel and farmer-members underscores the importance of collective action in conserving water, maintaining irrigation infrastructure, and preparing for potential water shortages,” enthused NIA-UPRIIS. Punto News Team/Photos: NIA-UPRIIS