ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY. The completed water irrigation of Burabod-Jonop Communal Irrigation Systems in Malinao, Albay in an undated photo. National Irrigation Administration-Bicol Region spokesperson Ma. Cleofe Baraero on Tuesday (July 7, 2026) said 831 farmers in Albay are expected to benefit from the completion of five irrigation projects worth PHP61 million. (Photo courtesy of NIA-5)
A total of 831 farmers in Albay are expected to benefit from the completion of five irrigation projects worth Php 61 million, turned over by the National Irrigation Administration-Bicol Region (NIA-5) to provide a more reliable water supply for agricultural lands and increase farm productivity.
In an interview on Tuesday, NIA-5 spokesperson Ma. Cleofe Baraero said the projects will improve irrigation services across 688.93 hectares of farmland.
“Reliable irrigation gives farmers a steady water supply even when rainfall is insufficient, helping protect crops, increase production and reduce the risk of crop losses. Investing in irrigation helps ensure sustainable agriculture and supports the livelihoods of farming communities despite the changing climate,” Baraero said.
The five irrigation projects under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program–Irrigation Component (CARP-IC) were formally turned over to their respective irrigators’ associations on June 30.
The completed projects include the repair and rehabilitation of the Estancia-Labnig and Burabod-Jonop Communal Irrigation Systems in Malinao; Bayandong in Bacacay; Balasbas in Manito; and Banquerohan in Legazpi City.
Baraero said the Department of Agrarian Reform’s CARP-IC remains a key support service for agrarian reform beneficiaries, enabling them to maximize the productivity of the land awarded to them.
“With the help of reliable irrigation, farmers can fully utilize the land awarded to them under the CARP,” she added.
She noted that NIA has additional irrigation projects planned in other provinces across the Bicol Region.
Baraero said that the agency mainly focuses on future projects by considering the rehabilitation requirements of current irrigation systems, especially those affected by natural disasters, and the availability of government funding.
Meanwhile, construction of the new Albay-Catanduanes Irrigation Management Office building in Ligao City is expected to begin, strengthening the agency’s operations and improving the delivery of irrigation services in Albay and Catanduanes.
The PHP3.5-million project is expected to be completed within one year once the notice to proceed is issued.
Baraero said the new office will provide a more efficient, accessible and conducive workplace for NIA personnel, allowing them to better coordinate irrigation operations and deliver faster services to farmers and irrigators’ associations.
“The centralized office will also enhance planning, monitoring and maintenance of irrigation systems, resulting in quicker processing of farmers’ requests and more reliable irrigation services,” she said. (PNA)