Mindanao to get US$10-M water, irrigation projects
Davao City (18 July) -- Realizing the need to improve food production, the Department of Agriculture will now prioritize infrastructure projects intended for water supply and irrigation.
Of the US$15.752 million rural infrastructure fund from the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP), US$10 million is set t be poured for water supply and irrigation subprojects.
MRDP is a program implemented under the DA which is geared towards alleviation of the poor communities in Mindanao through implementation of rural infrastructure, livelihood enterprise, and biodiversity conservation projects. Its funding is taken from a loan portfolio of World Bank.
In a press statement, DA regional director Roger Chio said that Mindanao can maximize its being a typhoon-free island by working out its food production. However, the hindrance to getting better food yield is the poor irrigation system and water supply in the region.
A study made by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) claimed that a kilo of rice would need more than 4,000 liters of water. This only showed that water is a pre-requisite to boost food production.
The MRDP is also prioritizing water supply projects since it was learned through a Mindanao-wide consultation that access to potable water supply remains a major concern of most areas in Mindanao.
Chio announced that the MRDP will approve rehabilitation ad construction of level 2 water systems.
MRDP, on the other hand, applied in its latest phase the 50:50 cost-sharing scheme which requires local government units to allocate fifty percent of the amount needed to fund their project while the other half will come from the MRDP grant. (PIA/Mai Gevera) [top]
