The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region VII strengthened their partnership to accelerate irrigation project implementation aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and farmers’ income in the province.
This is after Gov. Aris Aumentado welcomed NIA officials ed by Regional Manager Engr. Eusebio Villamanto during a courtesy visit to Capitol on January 19, 2026, to strengthen coordination on the implementation of irrigation projects in the province.
During the meeting, NIA presented 2025 updates, highlighting ongoing and almost completed projects efficiently implemented across the province that will address irrigation concerns in the agricultural sector.
In the First District, NIA reported near completion of the Calunasan Small Reservoir Irrigation System (SRIS) in Calape at 98 percent physical status benefiting 400 farmers over 300 hectares, alongside the Mandaug SRIS which is 26.62 percent complete and targeted for implementation until 2030.
For the Second District, major projects include the Benliw SRIS in Ubay at 99.01 percent completion, the Bonot-Bonot SRIS in Buenavista at 80.85 percent, the Hibale SRIS in Danao at 36.83 percent, and the Bohol Northeast Basin Multipurpose Dam Project at 99.30 percent physical status.
In the Third District, NIA reported ongoing works on the Malinao Dam Improvement Project in Pilar with Phase 1 at 29.77 percent and Phase 2 at 0.75 percent, the Catungawan SRIP in Guindulman at 33.18 percent, and the Mabini-Cayacay SRIS in Mabini at 99.94 percent physical status.
Other initiatives include the establishment of solar-powered pump irrigation projects with AI satellite-assisted monitoring and fertigation systems in Sierra Bullones, Candijay, and Ubay, as well as multiple canal improvement and rehabilitation projects implemented in 2025 across Dagohoy, Jagna, Guindulman, Duero, Sierra Bullones, Candijay, and Sevilla.
For 2026, NIA outlined a province-wide irrigation program covering 297 new constructions and 48 restoration projects across all three districts, with a total canal length of 13.0363 kilometers and 109 structures.
As of December 31, 2025, Bohol’s potential irrigable area stands at 104,074 hectares, with 30,443.30 hectares already developed, translating to 29.25 percent irrigation development and 73,630.70 hectares remaining.
“Nalipay kita sa aktibong pakigpartner sa NIA sa Kagamhanang Probinsyal aron mapaspasan ang mga proyektong pang-irigasyon kay oportunidad kini sa mas malambuong produksyon ug dugang kita sa mga mag-uuma,” Gov. Aumentado wrote on his Facebook page.
The governor also reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to support irrigation development, rice buyback programs, and farmer livelihood assistance in partnership with NIA, aligned with its Strategic Governance Roadmap on agricultural development and food security in Bohol, the country’s first and only UNESCO Global Geopark.
Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte was also present during the discussion.(PIMO/JSS/ALT)
