KIDAPAWAN CITY (PNA) – The provincial government of North Cotabato is a recipient of R27-million assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) aimed at completing the San Isidro-Katipunan-Gayola irrigation system here.
North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Piñol and Department of Agriculture Secretary Domingo Panganiban discussed the project with National Irrigation Administrator Baltazar Osis during the Mindanao Investment Forum for Rubber and Coffee held November 10 in Kidapawan City.
The provincial government hosted the meeting.
During the forum, Piñol announced that Panganiban has committed to provide the initial release of P8 million for the undertaking that will serve some 300 hectares of farmlands.
The provincial government, for its part, allocated P238,000 from local funds for the conduct of pre-engineering survey and technical study of the project early last year.
Piñol also managed to secure P5 million for the project from former Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo.
The governor said the Magsaysay-Balindog-Kalasian (MABAKAL) irrigation system would be operational by December this year.
Started 12 years ago, construction of Kidapawan City’s biggest irrigation project was stalled several times due to insufficient funds.
Work on the project resumed last year after Piñol secured from Lorenzo an initial P5 million for the P19-million project.
Some 400 local farmers will benefit from the project.
