BALINGASAG, MISAMIS ORIENTAL- As a result of the conducted ocular on the effects of the occurred disaster a month ago, the National Irrigation Administration X (NIA X) through Lanao del Norte-Misamis Occidental-Misamis Oriental-Camiguin Irrigation Management Office (LAMISCA-IMO) several irrigation facilities were damaged and needs immediate rehabilitation.
Last December 2022 incessant showers of rain brought by a shear line that lasted for four days damaged millions worth of properties, infrastructures, and agriculture in the province.
Reportedly the Balingasag River Irrigation System has 130 meters collapsed main canal which may cause damage to the ongoing dry cropping of more or less 410 hectares of palay.
As part of a temporary and immediate response, the LAMISCA-IMO led by Division Manager Engr. Elpidio D. Lucernas, Jr. and satellite head for Misamis Oriental, Camiguin and Balingasag Engr. Sofronio B. Deligero made an initiative to construct a makeshift canal.
Engr. Lucernas shared that the makeshift canal was purposely built to salvage further damage to crops that are now in the vegetative stage.
“Special thanks to the lot owner, Ms. Lydia Da-ao for granting the construction makeshift canal across her property.” Engr. Deligero mentioned.
Misamis Oriental has an estimated cost of P25.1 million for damaged irrigation dams and terminal facilities in the areas of Balingasag and Alubijid and El Salvador City.
Eight hundred seventy-two farmers and 6 irrigator associations with an irrigable service area of 516 hectares reportedly were affected province-wide.
To date, the agency consolidated, finalized, and evaluated the solutions laid and brought about by different local governments affected region-wide pertaining to the flooding including concerns and damages to enable the immediate recovery from the disaster.a