DA, PGB inaugurate small water impounding project, farm-to-market road in Angat, Bulacan

CITY OF MALOLOS – The Department of Agriculture and Provincial Government of Bulacan led the inauguration ceremony of the P12M Maiboy Small Water Impounding Project (SWIP) and P20M 1 km Farm-to-Market Road under the DA Rice Program yesterday at Brgy. Sta. Lucia in Angat town.

With a structural height of 12 meters and dam length of 125 meters, the Maiboy SWIP is expected to irrigate crops planted across 35 hectares covering the food production areas in barangays Banaban, Sta. Lucia and Binagbag.

The Provincial Agriculture Office of the PGB played a crucial role in supporting the project by overseeing site identification, validation, and endorsement to the DA. Plans are already in motion for the construction of three additional SWIPs in San Miguel (2) and San Ildefonso (1).

Provincial Agriculturist Ma. Gloria SF. Carrillo highlighted the flood control benefits of the Maiboy SWIP, emphasizing its potential to mitigate water peak discharge.

On the other hand, the 1 km Farm-to-Market Road, measuring 1.05 km in length, 30 cm thick (equivalent to 12 inches), and 5 meters wide, with a designed speed of 30 km/h, will facilitate the transport of commodities, including rice, mangoes, and other high-value commercial crops, lessen travel time and reduce post-harvest losses. This road will benefit approximately 50 farmers from barangays Sta. Lucia and Binagbag.

Engr. Lester Bacual from the DA RFO3 underscored the importance of the LGU’s operation and maintenance plan to ensure the optimal utilization of the project throughout its intended lifespan.

“After po ng completion, hindi po doon natatapos ang project natin. Kailangan po natin mag-implement ng operation and maintenance. So dalawa po ang keyword dito, ‘yung operation ay ‘yung tamang paggamit, no overloading, obstruction and over speeding. Sana din po ay makapag provide ang munisipyo ng maintenance plan para ma-maintain po natin ang target life na 20 years ng ating FMR,” Bacual explained.

Angat Mayor Reynante “Jowar” Bautista expressed his appreciation to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., the PGB led by Governor Daniel R. Fernando and Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro, and DA Secretary Francisco T. Laurel, Jr. for their support in bringing to fruition the water impounding project and farm-to-market road that will significantly enhance the livelihood of local farmers.

“Umaapaw ang aking tuwa at kagalakan dahil siyempre nakita ko ang mga pangarap at pangyayari na nagaganap dito sa Bayan ng Angat dahil alam ko na napakalaking bagay ang mga proyektong ibinababa sa atin ng national government. Generally, 80% of Angat ay agricultural pa rin kaya malakig tulong ang mga proyektong pinapasinayaan ngayon. Sa mga magsasaka na mabibiyaan ng mga proyektong ito, sana ay ma-maximize natin ang proyektong ito dahil unang-unang ingredient sa pagsasaka ay tubig at ayan na ang tubig, nakita na natin,” Bautista said.

Furthermore, Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro emphasized that the newly inaugurated structures will not only benefit a select few, but the entire community as a whole.

“Ang proyektong ito ay hindi lamang simpleng imprastraktura—ito ay simbolo ng pag-asa at pag-unlad para sa ating pamayanan. Sa pamamagitan ng SWIP at FMR, hindi lamang ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda ang magbebenepisyo, kundi pati na rin ang kabuuang komunidad. Ang tubig na makokolekta mula sa proyektong ito ay magiging malaking tulong sa pagsasaka at agrikultura, na siyang pangunahing ikinabubuhay ng ating bayan at ng buong Bulacan,” Castro said.

President Joseph H. Del Rosario of the Prime Farmers Association of Sta. Lucia, Inc. and Federation ng Samahan ng mga Magsasaka ng Angat expressed his gratitude to the individuals responsible for the construction of the aforementioned projects and shared their experiences leading up to the development of the farm-to-market road.

“Noong time po na walang ganitong kalsada, ‘yung mga magsasaka hindi magiik ang inaaning palay dahil mahirap ang daan para puntahan ng private sector, mga may-ari ng harvester kaya naranasan namin na ilaban ng hati ang giikin. Noon namang may harvester kami, naranasan din naming halos kada dadating ang ahunin, ibababa namin sa trailer ang harvester at ikakarga muli, kalahating araw bago makarating. Kaya lubos po kaming nagpapasalamat sa pamahalaan, napakalaking tulong ‘yung mga proyektong kagaya nito at kami namang magsasaka, aming ipapangako na tutugon kami sa pangangailangan ng ating bayan, ang food security,” Del Rosario vowed.

Also present during the inauguration ceremony were Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer Memito Luyun III, who represented DA OIC – Regional Director Eduardo L. Lapuz, Jr., Engr. Rene DC. Sarmiento and Engr. Jowen Erl Nepomuceno from the Department of Public Works and Highways, Vice Mayor Arvin Agustin and his fellow Sangguniang Bayan members including Councilors William S. Vergel De Dios, Darwin A. Calderon, Evelyn J. Cruz, Melandro G. Tigas, and Luis Santiago, Municipal Agriculture Office OIC Ira Raya Cruz and some Angatenyo farmers. ###