THE Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) are preparing P65.7-million worth of mitigation programs for potential water interruptions until the end of the dry cropping season in April. 

The programs aim to aid farmers relying on the Angat-Maasim River Irrigation System (AMRIS). 

“The P65.7 million in funding support for the NIA’s mitigation programs will ensure that domestic supply from Angat Dam is [secured] and will also sustain the social and economic well-being of MWSS customers,” the MWSS said in a bulletin. 

The project will allocate P50-million worth of Shallow Tube Well Pumps (STWP) to be distributed to farmers’ associations and P15 million worth of fuel subsidy for the operation of the STWP. 

The partnership will also work on an Information and Education Campaign (IEC) on water conservation and conduct cloud seeding operations within the Angat, Dam, Ipo, and La Mesa watersheds. 

As of Feb. 2, P15.7 million worth of financial assistance has been given directly to the 113 farmer-irrigator associations. 

“MWSS values its partnership with NIA in promoting equitable local water distribution, as well as NIA’s engagement with farmers in promoting participatory irrigation governance. MWSS, for its part, has identified the following summer supply augmentation measures to ensure continued service to its 19 million customers,” the MWSS added. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson 

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