The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region VII and the Department of Public Works and Highways- Bohol 3rd District Engineering Office (DPWH-Bohol 3rd DEO) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) today for the concreting of Malinao Irrigation System main canal service road in Brgy. Estaca, Pilar through DPWH’s Kalsada Tungo sa Patubigan Program.
"Kadalasan sa mga service roads namin ay hindi po concrete, with our limited budget minsan pa nga yung canal namin ay earth canal just to compensate and reach as much serviceable area as we can kasi irrigation ang aming focus. Kaya malaking tulong po ang programa na ito ng DPWH" NIA R7 Regional Manager Engr. Reyne B. Ugay said during the MOA Signing.
This project is one of the DPWH Convergence and Special Support Programs under Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps (SIPAG) which aims to give access roads and bridges from the national roads leading to Major/Strategic Public Buildings and Facilities.
"This is the first time na gagawa po kami ng kalsada along with NIA. Isang challenge pero alam naming malaking bagay po ito para hindi na mahirapan ang ating mga magsasaka sa dadaanan nila especially during the rainy season" DPWH Bohol 3rd DEO District Engineer Magiting A. Cruz added.
Recently, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered NIA and DPWH to work together and speed up the implementation of high-impact irrigation projects during the sectoral meeting of the agriculture department on Tuesday in Malacañang.
"Today is a very remarkable and historic event for the two forces of the Philippine government infra-forerunners, DPWH and NIA, joining forces to go further for the farmers” Engr. Orencio Apale, NIA R7 Engineering and Operations Division Manager said during the opening of the program.
The project has an approved budget of contract amounting to P14.7 million which covers the construction of 800 meters of concrete road along the main canal of Malinao Irrigation System, its concrete parapet, slope protection, and guardrail.
DPWH shall undertake the preparation of plans, preparation of detailed estimates including procurement, and construction management and supervision.
The maintenance of the Project, after the completion of its construction, shall be undertaken and overseen by NIA R7 subject to the warranties on the constructed service road.