By DANNY O. SAGUNPIA Dagupan Infocenter

OF THE potential irrigable areas of 181,000 hectares in Pangasinan, only some 63,000 hectares of farmlands are actually benefitting from irrigation now, according to the provincial irrigation officer.

Engineer Helsy Bermudez said that 14,000 hectares are covered by the national irrigation system (NIS) while 49,000 fall under the small or communal irrigation system (CIS).

The total existing service areas for both NIS and CIS is 103,000 hectares but the systems in some 40,000 hectares of ricelands are no longer functioning, thus the need for rehabilitation, he disclosed.

“Malaki na yong gap, mga 40,000,” he told the Pantongtongan Tayo radio program of the Philippine Information Agency over Radyo ng Bayan-DZMQ, referring to the unserviced areas due to systems badly needing repair.

He expressed hope that government will finally implement the long-delayed rehabilitation of the existing Agno River Irrigation System (ARIS) and its expansion to cover some 70,000 hectares not just in Pangasinan but also nearby Tarlac.

Crucial to the Agno River Integrated Irrigation Project (ARIIP) full implementation is the planned regulating pond to be located some three kilometers away from the San Roque Multi-Purpose Dam, which will be the source of water.

The project needs some P2.5 billion. It was to be funded originally by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, which later backed out reportedly due to strong opposition from militant groups.

President Arroyo identified the NIA regulating pond as a priority project of the North Luzon Super Region.

Bermudez said other potential irrigable areas are located in the western towns of Mabini, Bani, Sual and Mangatarem and Alaminos City.

He clarified that big irrigation systems are directly supervised by the regional office of the National Irrigation Administration thru irrigation superintendents.

The provincial irrigation office which he heads has jurisdiction over those CIS which can irrigate not more than 1,000 hectares. (PIA/DOS)