OVER P200 million worth of irrigation system and post-harvest facilities funded by the Japanese government is seen to benefit more than 1,500 farmers in the towns of Narra and Aborlan in Palawan. In a statement on Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles said the newly renovated Malatgao River Irrigation System and Post-Harvest Facilities project will cover over 3,000 hectares of land help 1,585 farmers. “This important project aims to increase palay yield in the area, which is considered the ‘rice granary’ of Palawan,” Mr. Nograles said. Service roads and an office for the local irrigators association will also be built under the program. The national government has pledged to double the funding amount in consideration of Palawan being among the provinces affected by typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) in 2013. “We haven’t forgotten the need to rehabilitate, years after Yolanda, that’s why we continue to pour funds to improve irrigation, build facilities and establish sustainable livelihood programs to help affected citizens,” Mr. Nograles said. — Gillian M. Cortez

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