THE National Irrigation Administration (NIA) said it launched the construction of the P893-million Balbalungao Earthfill Dam in Lupao, Nueva Ecija.
NIA Administrator Ricardo R. Visaya led the groundbreaking and capsule laying ceremony for the earthfill dam earlier this month. The project is known as the Balbalungao Small Reservoir Irrigation Project.
The irrigation project serves 840 hectares and 562 farmers and their families in the Lupao barangays of Balbalungao, San Isidro, Salvacion, Sto. Niño, and Mapampang.
Mr. Visaya said the reservoir will affect 38.44 hectares of land and will not disturb residential areas.
Mr. Visaya said that once the construction of the dam is finished, it will also supply power.
“There will be a hydropower component to be installed before the irrigation outlet of the dam,” Mr. Visaya said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
