In a recent public dialogue at the capitol session hall in Laoag City, members of the Bonga Pump 2 Irrigators Association from San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, voiced their concerns over a water shortage impacting their rice fields. The group’s president, Willy Mahor, pointed out that the issue stems from a nearby quarry operation, which is disrupting the water flow at the Bonga Pump 2 intake. This disruption threatens the productivity of the upcoming cropping season.
The association is part of a trio in the province participating in a rice contract farming initiative with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). This program aims to produce rice at a reduced cost, offering it to consumers at PHP29 per kilo. The initiative covers 400 hectares of irrigated rice fields. Without prompt action to resolve the water shortage, the farmers fear they will not achieve the target yield of five tons per hectare, jeopardizing the program’s success.
Rafael Medina, who chairs the Committee on Environment, responded to the farmers’ plight by assuring them that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) would address the issue with the quarry operator. The operator, who has a permit for a 4.9-hectare site, has shown willingness to work with the irrigators association, according to Medina. However, he warned that failure to meet the farmers’ demands could lead to the revocation of the quarry’s permit.
In the interim, the Provincial Quarry Office plans to inspect the quarry site to ensure that the water flow to Bonga Pump 2 remains unobstructed.