The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region VII formally launched the Hibale Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) through a groundbreaking ceremony held today, July 4, 2025, in Barangay Hibale, Danao, Bohol.
NIA Acting Regional Manager Engr. Antonio B. Gujeling led the ceremonial laying of the capsule at the project site, joined by Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, 2nd District Congresswoman Maria Vanessa C. Aumentado, and Danao Mayor Maria Celeste Cepedoza-Lerion along with other local officials.
With a total approved cost of ₱970 million, the project is expected to irrigate 405 hectares of agricultural land across four barangays—Hibale, Nahug, Poblacion, and Sto. Niño—benefiting around 800 farmers once completed.
Major components of the irrigation system include a zoned earthfill dam and canal systems consisting of a 3.95-kilometer main canal, 14.38-kilometer lateral canal, and 4.94-kilometer sublateral canal. It has a designed reservoir capacity of 2.41967 million cubic meters.
A program proper followed at the Danao Municipal Atrium, where stakeholders reiterated their support for the project. In his message, Engr. Gujeling emphasized that NIA’s support extends beyond infrastructure construction.
“We are not here to just build an infrastructure, we are here to stay, support, and sustain, through efficient irrigation and capacity building for the farmer-beneficiaries of this project,” Gujeling said.
In her message, Danao Mayor Cepedoza-Lerion expressed her gratitude to the NIA and highlighted the importance of partnership between local and national agencies.
Governor Aumentado, in his message, called the project a “dream finally realized” for local farmers.