Six communal irrigation systems managed by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Bicol sustained heavy damage in the island province of Masbate following the onslaught of Typhoon Opong (international name: Bualoi), with initial estimates placing the total cost at P70 million.
According to a damage assessment report, irrigation infrastructure in four municipalities, particularly in Baleno, Milagros, Dimasalang, and Cataingan, was either destroyed or severely compromised, affecting key agricultural zones that rely on these systems for water supply.
Engr. Gaudencio De Vera, NIA regional manager, said in a Viber message to the Inquirer on Tuesday that approximately 350 meters of lined canals across the province, along with essential irrigation components such as dam aprons, sluice gates, siphons, and intake structures, suffered extensive damage from Opong.
He said NIA personnel have begun coordinating with local government units and the Department of Agriculture to conduct site inspections and draft immediate rehabilitation plans.
‘This level of destruction poses a threat, as it may disrupt the flow of water to farms during the upcoming cropping season. We are moving quickly to secure funding and deploy repair teams to minimize the impact on local farmers,’ he added./coa
Debris from Typhoon ‘Opong’ (international name: Bualoi) damaged the lifting mechanism and slide steel gate of a dam in Milagros town, Masbate, potentially affecting water distribution in the area. (Contributed photo/NIA Bicol)