BY MERLITO G. EDALE JR., PIA
CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (April 28)—The National Irrigation Administration – Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MARIIS) has started the rehabilitation of damaged irrigation canals in preparation for the wet cropping season.
Engr. Josue Sabio, NIA-MARIIS acting department manager, said the yearly repair of the irrigation facilities particularly canal linings and replacement of damaged control point system gates seeks to ensure that no spillage occurs once water release schedules start.
The NIA-MARIIS is irrigating more than 85,000 hectares of rice lands in Isabela and in the provinces of Quirino and Ifugao.
Sabio said that the NIA-MARIIS is set to release its stored water on May 24 to avoid weather disturbances during harvest season.