Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 13) — The irrigation allocation for farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga has been reduced by 10 cubic meters per second in the wake of Angat Dam level’s dropping below its minimum operating level of 180 meters.
The head of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Eddie Guillen said the water allocation cuts would affect 10,000 hectares of rice fields in those provinces.
The Angat Dam is a major water supply source for Metro Manila, but it also irrigates farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga.
RELATED: Water allocation cuts for NCR, irrigation if Angat level drops below 180m
Speaking to CNN Philippines’ Balitaan on Wednesday, Guillen said five municipalities in Bulacan and four in Pampanga are so far affected, covering 3,000 hectares and 7,000 hectares of rice fields, respectively.
To help farmers, Guillen said the agency will deploy additional water pumps.
“Mas mapapagastos ang production natin and for one thing, kailangan na natin ng water pump ngayon. At saka, mas delikado ‘yun kasi hindi natin maibibigay ‘yung tamang pangangailangang tubig ng ating halaman. Baba ang yield saka mas stressed ang farmers,” he said in a separate interview.
[Translation: Our production will now cost more. We will need water pumps. The lower allocation will be a problem because we may not meet the necessary amount of water. It could produce a lower yield and bring stress to our farmers.]
Following the water management office’s order to conserve water, NIA has also moved to maximize water used for irrigation.
It plans to roll out the alternate wetting and drying technology to irrigate rice fields, which could save 20% of irrigation water.
\”Ibig sabihin ‘yung ating palayan, hindi na nakababad sa tubig kasi ‘yung mga farmer natin ay gusto nakababad sa tubig ito for only one reason: Para hindi tumubo ang damo,\” Guillen said.
“Pag binababa mo ‘yung tubig, hahabulin ng roots system ‘yung tubig so ang nangyayari mas marami at mas malalim ang roots system ng palay, at mas mag-absorb ng nutrients kaya ang bunga niya mas madami rin. So nakatipid ka na ng tubig, tumaas pa ang yield mo,” the NIA chief explained.
[Translation: This means our fields will no longer be submerged in water. They want that so the grass doesn’t grow. When you lower the amount of water, the roots system of the palay will be more embedded and it will absorb more nutrients. This means more yield. You save on water and get more yield.]
NIA added farmers can tap the crop insurance agency to shield them from losses.
Meanwhile, Guillen also noted that they follow a crop calendar to better plan farm activities, in consideration of scenarios such as reduced water allocation.
“Pinagtatanim po sila namin ng high-value crops, like for example monggo or mais man lang, para makapagtanim parin po sila kasi po kaunti naman po ang kailangan tubig nito. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na kung hindi na abutin ng patubig ay ‘di na sila magtatanim, may paraan naman po, at ito ay tinuturo po namin sakanila,” Guillen said.
