By Czeriza Valencia (The Philippine Star) Updated October 22, 2012 12:00 AM
MANILA, Philippines - The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Philippine National Oil Co.- Renewable Corp (PNOC-RC) for the construction of four mini-hydro plants in Nueva Ecija.
The project aims to provide rural areas in the province with irrigation, electricity and safe drinking water.
A feasibility study is now being prepared for the project.
After a memorandum of agreement is signed, the projects may be started during the first semester of next year.
“The cost of a mini-hydro is low, that’s why investors are very glad,” said NIA Administrator Antonio Nangel.
Each mini-hydro plant can generate 500 kilowatts of power.
The installation of the mini-hydro plants is expected to lower the production expense of farmers, Nangel said.
“Farmers in the highlands especially in the areas we’ve visited with the secretary (Department of Agriculture Sec. Proceso J. Alcala) don’t have irrigation. So we should put up pumps (tube wells), but pumps don’t have the capability to generate electricity,” Nangel said.
The government intends to cover 190,000 hectares of farmlands under its irrigation program by 2013 to improve palay yield.
For this year, NIA has a budget of P24.5 billion for irrigation.
For 2013, NIA has a proposed budget of P27.33 billion comprising of locally funded projects (P23.16 billion) and foreign-assisted projects (P4.16 billion). source
The project aims to provide rural areas in the province with irrigation, electricity and safe drinking water.
A feasibility study is now being prepared for the project.
After a memorandum of agreement is signed, the projects may be started during the first semester of next year.
“The cost of a mini-hydro is low, that’s why investors are very glad,” said NIA Administrator Antonio Nangel.
Each mini-hydro plant can generate 500 kilowatts of power.
The installation of the mini-hydro plants is expected to lower the production expense of farmers, Nangel said.
“Farmers in the highlands especially in the areas we’ve visited with the secretary (Department of Agriculture Sec. Proceso J. Alcala) don’t have irrigation. So we should put up pumps (tube wells), but pumps don’t have the capability to generate electricity,” Nangel said.
The government intends to cover 190,000 hectares of farmlands under its irrigation program by 2013 to improve palay yield.
For this year, NIA has a budget of P24.5 billion for irrigation.
For 2013, NIA has a proposed budget of P27.33 billion comprising of locally funded projects (P23.16 billion) and foreign-assisted projects (P4.16 billion). source
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