IBA, Zambales — Regional Development Council (RDC)
passed a resolution endorsing the proposed implementation extension
and changes in scopes of work of the Balog-Balog Multi-Purpose Project
Phase II (BBMP II) in Tarlac.
With an original target completion date of December 2018, BBMP II
experienced delays in implementation as reflected by its low physical
and financial accomplishments of 25.71 percent and 31.70 percent
respectively.
“Severe weather conditions, resettlement concerns, and right-of-way
issues hampered the timely completion of the project. As such, the
National Irrigation Administration (NIA) requested the Investment
Coordination Committee for the approval of the project’s
implementation extension from 2018 to 2022,” National Economic and
Development Authority Regional Director and RDC Vice Chairperson Leon
M. Dacanay Jr. said.
This Php13.37 billion project will provide year-round irrigation
services to about 34,500 hectares at full development and improve
cropping intensity from one to at least two seasons per year
benefiting about 23,000 famers in the province of Tarlac.
It will improve rice yield from 3.1 metric tons per hectare under
rain-fed conditions to 5.2 metric tons per hectare under irrigated
conditions.
“To optimize the project benefits, NIA proposed additional scopes of
work to provide irrigation services in upland areas of San Jose town
covering about 24,000 hectares,” Dacanay added.