MANILA, Philippines — The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), through Malacanang, on Tuesday said recent heavy rains have replenished major dams and helped sustain irrigation in rice-producing areas.
Reading from a NIA statement, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the water accumulated in Magat Dam was enough to irrigate about 90,000 hectares, while the water in Pantabangan Dam could support about 100,000 hectares.
The Palace press officer said the water accumulated in Magat and Pantabangan dams was equivalent to about 950,000 metric tons of rice production valued at P25 billion.
She noted that while the heavy rains have caused difficulties for many communities, they have also provided benefits to farmers by improving water availability for irrigation
The additional water supply is also helping crops in Isabela and Cagayan recover from the effects of El Niño, according to the NIA.
NIA’s initial monitoring showed no widespread damage to rice crops, with most plants still in the vegetative stage and less vulnerable to prolonged rain than during flowering and grain formation.
The agency continues to monitor dam water levels, major irrigation facilities and farmlands that may be affected by flooding or prolonged inundation.
NIA also coordinated with irrigators’ associations and other concerned agencies to ensure a timely response and safe management of the country’s water resources.
