Around 400 farmers from 22 barangays in Laoac, Pangasinan joined forces to clear a vital irrigation canal, proving that bayanihan is alive and well in rural communities.

They worked together to clean the three-kilometer-long Lateral G of the Agno River Irrigation System. They removed branches, weeds, and trash blocking the water flow.

“Bayanihan ng 22 barangays na maximum na i-de-deploy ng bawat barangay 15 na katao para malinis namin ‘yung canal lining, para hindi masira. Kasi ang daming punong tumutubo d’yan, lalong-lalo na ‘yung ipil-ipil. Sisira ‘yan ng canal lining,” Laoac Mayor Ricardo Balderas said.

The irrigation system supports over 1,500 hectares of farmland in Laoac. Farmers here grow rice, corn, vegetables, and tobacco.

Jovito Soriano, a farmer, said the cleanup effort makes a big difference.

“Malaking tulong ito sa aming mga irrigators association, ‘yung paglilinis sa aming kanal. Kasi kung minsan, mahirap din maglinis dito. Kasi ‘yung mga miyembro naman dito, busy sa bukid palagi. Kaya minsan tatlong beses lang kami naglilinis sa isang cropping,” he said.

The annual cleanup is held especially before the rainy season to ensure smooth water flow and boost harvests.

“Mapapansin ninyo kahit hindi benefited na barangay, andito. Talagang nag-deploy sila ng mga tao nila. Kaya ‘yon ang tinatawag kong bayanihan ng mga magsasaka dito sa Laoac,” Balderas added.