The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in the Ilocos Region has launched a comprehensive plan to safeguard thousands of hectares of irrigated rice lands in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan as the region prepares for monsoon rains and possible tropical cyclones.
NIA Regional Manager Geffrey B. Catulin emphasized that provincial irrigation managers have been tasked with closely monitoring reservoir levels, river flows, rainfall, and canal conditions to enable swift decision-making and minimize flooding in irrigation systems serving farming communities.
Provincial irrigation managers have been directed to maintain proper operation of intake gates, sluice gates, and wasteways during heavy rains, while accelerating the desilting and clearing of canals and drainage facilities to prevent overflows and protect irrigation infrastructure from damage.
Irrigation personnel and Irrigators' Associations have been placed on high alert to immediately repair damaged facilities and restore water delivery after severe weather conditions.
To enhance preparedness, NIA has strengthened coordination with the state weather bureau, local government units, and disaster response agencies for updated weather forecasts and flood advisories.
As the region enters the peak of the rainy season, provinces such as Pangasinan and low-lying areas in La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte are among those most vulnerable to flooding caused by swollen rivers and prolonged downpours.
NIA has pledged to expand irrigation systems for farming communities in the Caraballo Mountain area under the Caraballo Mountain Convergence Area Development Plan, recognizing the importance of improved irrigation in raising farm productivity, strengthening food security, and helping farmers adapt to climate change.
The NIA will continue to implement water scheduling, rotational irrigation, and the use of supplemental water sources, including solar-powered irrigation systems, to sustain agricultural production and support long-term rural development in the region.
