SAN RAFAEL, Bulacan — Speaker of the House of Representatives Ferdinand Martin Romualdez lauded the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) solar-powered irrigation project in Barangay Sampaloc in this town on Friday (Sept. 22).
The House leader was joined by Appropriations Committee Chair Zaldy Co, Deputy Majority Leader for Communications Erwin Tulfo, ACT-CIS Party List Rep. Edvic Yap, and Bulacan 3rd District Rep. Lorna Silverio.
Powered by 115 solar panels, the system irrigates 150 hectares of farmland, directly benefitting 114 farmers and their families.
Romualdez was welcomed by Bulacan Vice Gov. Alex Castro, San Rafael Mayor Mark Violago, along with NIA Acting Administrator Eduardo Guillen.
The NIA has undertaken two other similar projects in the municipality of Bustos in Bulacan.
One, located in Brgy. Malamig is powered by 334 solar panels and provides water for 350 hectares of farmland, while the other is in Brgy. Tibangan, with 1,112 solar panels and irrigating 1,200 hectares.
With the use of solar power, the project reduced the annual average electrical expenses of the farmer-beneficiaries to irrigate their farms by more than half.
For the Kapatiran project–the first to operate—reduction in electrical expense is estimated from between P900,000 to P1 million per year to only about P400,000 to P450,000 annually.
Likewise, a joint study of the Mindoro State University and the University of the Philippines, Los Banos, found that by using a solar-powered irrigation system, a farmer can save between 11.36 liters and 378.54 liters of diesel per hectare annually.
“Napapabilib ako dito sa mga solar irrigations systems na pwede pa rin nating gawin sa ibang parte ng ating bansa,” Romualdez said, saying such innovative solution deserve the support of Congress.
“Kung gamitin natin ang solar irrigation at lahat ng bagong concepts or ideas sa pag-farming, we can increase productivity and efficiency. Gagawin natin lahat para we can increase production and bring the prices of palay and ultimately rice,” he added.
The House is currently conducting plenary deliberations on the proposed P5.768 trillion proposed national budget for 2024 with the goal of approving the same on third and final reading next week before Congress goes on recess. (UnliNews Online)
