Compostela gets irrigation system

CEBU, Philippines -  Despite the absence of elected municipal officials attending to their needs, the farmers in the hinterland barangay of Mulao in the Municipality of Compostela, Cebu has reason to celebrate.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) turned-over yesterday the Mulao Pump Irrigation Project worth P5 million to the Mulao Farmers Irrigator’s Association, Inc.

NIA-7 Acting Regional Manager Diosdado Rosales, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Mulao Barangay Captain Asterio Tanjay led the ceremonial turning on of the faucet of the irrigation pump.

The irrigation project covers the service area of 25 hectares benefiting 70 farmer beneficiaries.

It was certified yesterday as complete and in compliance with the NIA Engineering Standards.

Rosario Moreno, the president of the farmers’ association, accepted the project and will then be responsible in the operation and maintenance of the irrigation system.

Engr. Norma Monisit of NIA-7 said that the farmers’ association will only pay back to NIA 30 percent of the total project cost in three years.

Aside from the irrigation system, NIA also constructed a covered court for the barangay.

Tanjay said the irrigation system is a realization of the farmers’ dream to have a system that will continuously water their farms even during the El Niño season.

Barangay Mulao is more than 10 kilometers west of Compostela from the national highway. Although it has asphalted provincial roads, some areas are already damaged because of flooding from the mountains.

Garcia assured the residents that the road situation shall be addressed immediately.

In the absence of municipal officials, Garcia called on barangay officials to come to her office and she will directly give financial assistance to them.

Half-way ahead of the next elections, Compostela still has no elected town officials after the Commission on Elections suspended the proclamation of all winning candidates in the last 2010 elections.

The case is still pending before the Comelec in Manila. — (FREEMAN)