Rice farmers in Mangaldan, Pangasinan are struggling with a low supply of irrigation water, raising concerns over possible crop damage as many rice fields enter the critical flowering stage.

For nearly a week, farmers in Barangay Lanas and nearby areas have reported difficulty accessing irrigation water. The shortage comes at a crucial time, as rice crops require sufficient water to survive and produce grain. Some farmers have been forced to use water pumps to irrigate their fields.

Ronaldo Senin, a farmer from the area, warned of the impact if the problem continues.

“Kung walang tubig, masisira na mga palay, wala na. Hindi na ’yan mabuhay,” Senin said.

The Mangaldan Farmers-Irrigators Association said there is no shortage of water from the main dam. However, the problem lies in the weak flow reaching the Lateral-A Canal, particularly in Mangaldan, due to a leak at the Sinucalan Dam-Dike.

Juanito Español, federation president of the Mangaldan Farmers-Irrigators Association, said the dam is full but pressure remains low because one of the gates is not fully sealed.

“Kung titingnan mo ’yung [Sinucalan Dam-Dike], punong-puno pero mahina ang pressure kasi sa silong. Kumbaga sa steel gate, hindi nakalapat doon sa mismong rubber, so siguro one foot ang hindi nakalapat. Sa apat na gate ng [Sinucalan Dam-Dike], ’yung isa lang ang may problema, pero hangga’t hindi naisasagad na mailapat ’yun, malaking bagay ang pressure,” Español said.

The association said the contractor is continuously working to fix the leak.

Meanwhile, the Mangaldan Agriculture Office acknowledged that rice crops could be affected if water supply remains low, but said farmers are already taking steps to lessen the impact.

Rice coordinator Manuel Aquino said the issue has been reported to the National Irrigation Administration.

“Nire-report din namin sa NIA para at least sila ang mag-take ng actions,” Aquino said.

Based on monitoring by the municipal agriculture office, farmers from nine barangays are affected by the reduced irrigation supply. These include Alitaya, Amansabina, Gueguesangen, Buenlag, Banaoang, Bari, Guilig, Salay, and Lanas.