The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), through the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Project Phase II (ARISP II), has teamed up with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to turn over a P10.2-million communal irrigation system to the Banawang Irrigators’ Association in Casiguran, Sorsogon.

The ARISP II is funded by the government of Japan under the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC) in support of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. It delivers useful support services for the agrarian reform communities nationwide to develop their lands.

ARISP II is one of the highly recognized projects under the agency’s Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), and has achieved a 96% accomplishment rate in its infrastructure development component. This represents 487 infrastructure subprojects which include 133 irrigation and drainage facilities, 184 farm-to-market roads, 82 rural water systems and 68 postharvest facilities such as solar dryers, warehouses and Agrarian Information and Marketing buildings.

The newly inaugurated irrigation system covers a total of 28 hectares of riceland in Brgys. Tigbao and Banawang, Casiguran.

The rice production in the area rose from 50 to 60 cavans per hectare to 80 to 90 cavans since the irrigation was completed, or an increase of 30 cavans per hectare.

“Our efforts to improve the small farmers’ level of productivity is paying off as we make you no longer dependent on the wet season as the only source of water for your farms. Furthermore, the responsibility for its maintenance is in your hands,” Regional Director for Region V Celestina Tam said during the turn over.

The farmer beneficiaries of the Casiguran ARC Cluster B accepted the facility, promising to utilize it for the benefit of everyone concerned. Over a hundred farmer beneficiaries benefit from it.

Salvador Hife, the association’s president said, “We have been waiting for this for years and we will be forever grateful to DAR and Japan for what they have given us.”