CITY OF MALOLOS– Department of Agriculture Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. led the groundbreaking ceremony for the P2.4–billion Bayabas Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) on Wednesday (December 13) in Barangay Bayabas, Doña Remedios Trinidad town.

Joining the secretary were National Irrigation Administration (NIA) acting administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie Guillen, provincial and local government officials of Bulacan wherein Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando was represented by Provincial Agriculturist Gloria Carrillo, Department of Agriculture Region III Regional Technical Director Eduardo Lapuz, Jr., and representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led by Officer-in-Charge of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer – Bulacan Emelita Lingat.

The secretary highlighted the importance of irrigation infrastructure in achieving food security and rice self-sufficiency in the country.

He added, “Continuing irrigation development will certainly increase agricultural production and minimize importation of rice and high-value crops in the future. So kailangan nating gumawa pa ng maraming ganitong proyekto.”

On the other hand, Guillen views Bayabas SRIP as a holistic solution to the multifaceted challenges faced by the farmers and cited the project underscores the unwavering commitment of the agency to increasing agricultural productivity, increasing climate resiliency in irrigated areas, and expanding agribusiness income of farming communities.

National Irrigation Administration Central Luzon director Josephine Salazar, explained the project aims to channel the flow of Bayabas River primarily for irrigation purposes as well as for fish culture and other potential purposes through the development of the Bayabas Dam.

Funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) from 2022 to 2027, the updated total project cost is P2.43 billion with an Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) of 13.55%. The construction of the Bayabas Rockfill Dam boasts a contract value of P1.941 billion and has a contract duration of 1,524 calendar days inclusive of 311 unworkable days.

The Bayabas Rockfill Dam stands 74.10 meters high, stretching across a length of 345 meters and can store up to 55.48 million cubic meters of water at a reservoir area of about 226 hectares.

Once completed, the project will provide water supply to the existing Angat Maasim River Irrigation System during the dry rice cropping season by providing reliable irrigation water supply to 150 hectares of new ricelands and will augment the irrigation requirements of 27, 828 hectares of existing agricultural land, benefitting 20,000 farmers and their families.

Aside from serving as an essential irrigation water source to the local farming communities, the project is expected to provide incidental benefits in the region such as flood control mitigation in the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga, aquaculture development, and tourism promotion in the region.

Photo: National Irrigation Administration