Solar irrigation system sustains water rationing in Dinagat Islands
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Dinagat Islands Provincial Agricultural and Biosystems Office (PABEO) made water rationing sustainable for communities affected by a severe water crisis and prolonged dry weather through its solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS).
SPIS is under the small-scale irrigation projects (SSIP), which uses energy from the sun to irrigate farmlands.
From the start of its operation on September 11, SPIS has proven its capacity to pump up to 24,000 liters of water daily, with prowess that depends greatly on solar energy.
According to PABEO, “This is one of the initiatives supported by the provincial government under the directive of Governor Nilo P. Demerey Jr. to help the communities while facing the severe water scarcity in the province due to El Niño.”
The Dinagat Islands Incident Management Team (IMT) also reported that PABEO provided 132,000 liters of water from September 19-24 to Barangay Cuarinta and to the rest of San Jose town.
“PABEO sustained its daily output of 24,000 liters of water that benefited 60 local households in the municipality,” the IMT shared in its press release.
Meanwhile, the provincial government of Dinagat Islands continues to intensify its emergency response with the aid of the national government and the private sector as the province remains under a state of calamity due to continuing impacts of El Niño.
Through its Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, it reported on September 4 that the water crisis remains the most critical concern of the province, with six barangays under strict emergency water rationing and major water sources operating below normal levels.
Also, an estimated P5.52 million in agricultural production losses/damages was disclosed, including P1.42 million in estimated reported income loss with 48 workers affected.
Under the leadership of Gov. Demerey, the members of the PDRRMC conducted a Contingency Plan Formulation Workshop for Dry Spell/Drought Hazard on October 12-13 to strengthen the efforts of the provincial government amid the impacts of El Niño. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands with reports from PABEO and Dinagat Islands PDRRMC)
