NIA Restores Magapit Pump Irrigation System

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is now restoring the damaged facilities of the Magapit Pump Irrigation System (MPIS) located in barangay Magapit in Lal-lo town in this province.

Rowila S. Macoco, MPIS head, said the restoration of the damaged control panel compartment and the 69kV power transformer has started on May 28 following the approval of budget allocation from the national office for the said purpose.

On May 5, an electrical malfunction happened at the MPIS which resulted in a fire that damaged the power transformers.

The incident resulted in a total shutdown of MPIS operations, according to Macoco. Affected were 10,868 hectares of service area and 6,749 farmer-beneficiaries, she added.

NIA Senior Deputy Administrator B/Gen. Abraham Bagasin said when the report of the damage reached their office, they priortized immediate restoration and acted allocated the needed budget.

Binigyan namin ng prayoridad noong nalaman kung ano ang nangyari. Dahil nakarelease na ng tubig yung karamihan sa magsasaka ng mga apektadong bayan diyan at naumpisahan na nila magtanim,” Bagasin said.

“Kung hindi natin bibigyan ng prayoridad, maraming masasakripisyo na pananim,” Bagasin added.

The MPIS supplies irrigation waters to farmer-beneficiaries of Lal-lo, Camalaniugan, Buguey and Aparri towns, all from this province.

To date, 5 percent of the total work was already accomplished and it is expected to be completed on or before 14 August 2019.

According to Macoco, farmer-beneficiaries at the MPIS service areas rely solely on rain since since the total shutdown of the facility.

“Our farmer-beneficiaries understand our situation and that they are very cooperative with the administration,” Macoco said.

Macoco assured their beneficiaries that the NIA is doing its best to fully restore the damaged facilities the soonest possible time. (MDCT/PIA 2-Cagayan)