SOLAR-POWERED IRRIGATION SYSTEM IS SOON TO RISE IN SITIO LUAN, BRGY. MABANTAO, KAPALONG, DAVAO DEL NORTE

September 1, 2021

An irrigation system powered by solar irrigation pump is underway in Sitio Luan, Brgy. Mabantao, Kapalong, Davao del Norte that will irrigate 44 hectares of farms. 

The Libuganon River-Mabantao Pump Irrigation System (PIP), the name indicating its source the Libuganon River, is a Php 13.6Million project with works that cover installation of solar powered pump and HDPE pipes, construction of reservoir or tanks, intake structures and other irrigation facilities. The entire works of the project are programmed for completion by August of 2022 through EP Manantan Construction.

Once completed, the project will be turned over to its farmer beneficiaries through the Luan Mabantao Farmers Irrigators Association (LUMARFIA) Inc. which currently Mr. Eddie C. Augustin holds as the president.

The ceremonial groundbreaking was held on August 25, 2021 which was facilitated by the Davao del Norte Irrigation Management Office (IMO) key personnel namely Operation and Maintenance Section Head Brendo C. Audiencia, Engineering Head Nelson L. Sahot and Institutional Development Section Head Renato E. Cosmod who also represented Division Manager Larry C. Franada. Regional Office Institutional Development Section personnel Vincent Buenaventura and Rodel M. Maceda also attended who represented NIA XI Regional Manager Jimmy L. Apostol.

The local government unit (LGU) through Kapalong Vice Mayor Hon. Edgardo L. Timbol expressed the full support of the municipality to the project and said that, "hagit nako sa inyo, magpakabana ta alang sa kalambuan sa komunidad" addressing to the farmers in the groundbreaking program whom he encouraged to support the project especially during the construction and upon turnover.

Other LGU officials such as Councilor and Chairman on the Committee for Agriculture Hon. Joevin P. Doriman, and Mabantao Brgy. Captain Hon. Salvador M. Ruiz also took part in the said event.

Engr. Nelson L. Sahot, Engineering Section Head of Davao del Norte IMO, during the project profile’s briefing in the groundbreaking recalled that, at the project's inception, a solar powered irrigation pump was the scheme of choice owing to the terrain of the location where a mountain stood between the service area and the Libuganon River. The funds for the project, he added, was originally intended for another irrigation project which later was not pushed through and thus diverted to Libuganon River-Mabanao PIP.

LUMARFIA Inc. President Mr. Eddie Agustin conveyed their commitment of support at the construction phase and in the maintenance of the structures as he said, "Gikalipay ang proyekto nga gihatag diri sa atong lugar… atong ampingan kay kini sinugdanan nga kita magmalambuon."