Japan Turns over Irrigation System Facilities to Quezon Farmers

   On December 10, 2020, the turnover ceremony of the Dumacaa River Irrigation System under the National Irrigation Sector Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (NISRIP) was held in Lucena City, Quezon. The event was participated by Embassy of Japan’s Economic Affairs Minister NAKATA Masahiro, graced with the presence of NIA Senior Deputy Administrator Abraham B. Bagasin, Lucena City Administrator Anacleto Alcala, Jr., Tayabas City Mayor  Ernida A. Reynoso as well as JICA Philippines Chief Representative AZUKIZAWA Eigo. Before the official turnover, Minister Nakata joined ribbon-cutting ceremonies at the rehabilitated Alsam Dam in Tayabas City and the Irrigators’ Association (IA) Office and support facilities in Lucena City.
 
   In his speech, Minister Nakata highlighted, “the wide-ranging impact of this endeavor will contribute to the enhanced lives of farm households in the municipality of Pagbilao as well as the cities of Lucena and Tayabas. The NISRIP project provides a shining example of the relationship between the Philippines and Japan.”
 
   The monumental 6.187 billion Yen NISRIP Project targets to rehabilitate 11 river irrigation systems (RIS) nationwide. Four RIS including the Dumacaa RIS in Quezon have been completed. This 115 million pesos subproject covers rehabilitation of the Alsam Dam that will restore around 1,839 hectares of service areas. Around 1,795 farmers in the municipality of Pagbilao and cities of Lucena and Tayabas stand to benefit from this undertaking. The Dumacaa Federation of Irrigators’ Associations will also be strengthened with the provision of four buildings with combined office and support facilities. These will also be complemented with vital agricultural support. All of these interventions are vital enablers to increase farm yield and productivity, accelerate farm income, and deliver growth in Quezon’s agricultural community.