Irrigation agency expanding service areas to aid rice sufficiency goal

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) will expand its service areas, particularly to several locations in Mindanao, in support of the government's goal of achieving self-sufficiency in rice this year. According to NIA Administrator Antonio Nangel, 150,000 hectares of new irrigation areas will be added to the coverage—40,000 new hectares nationwide by June and the balance in the second half of the year. The new service areas will bring the NIA's total coverage area to around 1.8 million hectares. "We are confident that we can attain the target areas needed for rice self-sufficiency. We will see to it that we will be able to attain our target by June," said Nangel. The 110,000 hectares of new service areas in the second half of the year will serve as a buffer in the event of natural disasters and weather events that could affect rice production, he added. The government has set 20.4 million metric tons as its rice production target for the year. The NIA is also awaiting the release of the P1.2-billion budget it is asking from the government for the repair of facilities damaged by Typhoon Pablo last December. While it is waiting for the funds, said Nangel, the agency will initially use P500 million from its quick response fund for repair expenses. — BM, GMA News