NIA needs P250M to repair dikes in flooded parts of Pangasinan

 

Floods caused by weeks of monsoon rain have caused around P250 million damage to irrigation facilities in Pangasinan.

 

The damaged facilities included dikes and riverbank protection systems near the Agno and Sinocalan river systems, GMA Dagupan reported Thursday.

 

Of this, P20 million is needed for the immediate or short-term restoration of some facilities, while P230 million is needed for permanent restoration.

 

Agno River Irrigation System and Sinocalan River Irrigation System (ARIS-SRIS) irrigation superintendent Engineer Sergio Martinez said that in Sta. Barbara town alone, some 2,000 hectares were "affected or submerged."

 

"Hindi na naka-recover yung seedling nila, patay na," he said.

 

While the NIA reassured farmers there is still enough water to irrigate their crops, its concern now is to find funding to repair the flood-damaged facilities.

 

Meanwhile, agencies such as Pag-IBIG, Government Service Insurance System and Social Security System are offering calamity loans for areas under a state of calamity. — Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News