THE National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has slated some 76 irrigation projects in the province of Benguet worth some P293 million for the coming year of 2023.
NIA’s Benguet Satellite Office is finishing up the preparation of Programs of Work (POW) for the proposed 2023 irrigation projects in the province.
These 76 projects are distributed in the 13 municipalities of Benguet, with seven in Buguias; four in Atok; 10 in Tublay; 13 in Sablan; one in La Trinidad; four in Tuba; five in Kapangan; two in Kibungan; nine in Mankayan; seven in Kabayan; five in Bakun; three in Bokod; and five in Itogon.
The 76 projects are funded under the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
At the same time, other NIA offices in the region are preparing POWs for funding and implementation in the coming year as well.
Earlier in the year, the NIA moved to transfer smaller-scale irrigation projects to the authority, jurisdiction, and responsibility of local governments.
The NIA announced that it would start devolving such small-scale irrigation projects to local authorities.
This means that the NIA will no longer be responsible for smaller irrigation projects, which first to fourth-class municipalities must now take charge of, both in maintenance and expansion of their irrigation networks.
However, the NIA will retain control of National Irrigation System facilities in fifth and sixth-class municipalities.
