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Solon
calls House probe on questioned irrigation projects
By: KIT BAGAIPO
Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño is calling for a congressional
inquiry into complaints lodged by farmers affected by three
irrigation projects here.
Casiño,
who attended a Conference of Bohol Dams initiated by the Hugpong
sa mga Mag-uumang Bol-anon (Humabol) recently, said in a press
statement that he will meet with Representatives Edgar Chatto,
Roberto Cajes and Adam Relson Jala to resolve the issues presented
by farmers.
A
House inquiry will facilitate resolving the concerns of supposed
farmer-beneficiaries, according to Casiño. This, even
as several senators have signified their intent to look into
the controversial irrigation projects here.
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Farmers
affected by the Bohol Irrigation Project Stages 1 and
2 (Malinao Dam and Bayongan Dam) and the still unfinished
Talibon Small Reservoir Impounding Project presented
their problems to Casiño during the conference.
The
farmers whose farmlands were not irrigated by the Malinao
Dam since it was commissioned in 1997 demanded that
the memorandum of agreement between them and the National
Irrigation Administration (NIA) regarding the loans
incurred during the land leveling be cancelled.
According
to farmers affected by the Malinao Dam, their productive
lands were leveled to convert it to rice paddies, however,
then years after the project, no water reached their
lands.
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The
farmers likewise asked for compensation and a rehabilitation
program for the lands that became unproductive due to the
inefficiency of the irrigation project.
Regarding
the Bayongan Dam, the peasants sought the assurance that it
will be able to irrigate its targeted service area of over
5,000 hectares, some of which are now being leveled and converted
into rice paddies.
Many
of the farmer-beneficiaries of Bayongan Dam situated in the
towns of Ubay, Trinidad and San Miguel are apprehensive taking
into account that Bayongan Dam relies on excess water coming
from the Malinao Dam.
Moreover,
the farmers asked for transparency and justice to the long
delayed investigation and resolution of the case pending at
the Ombudsman on the unfinished Talibon Dam.
According
to Casiño, his position in Congress has limitations
regarding the problems of the Bohol irrigation projects.
However,
the solon said he will write to the agencies concerned (NIA,
the Deppartment of Agriculture and others) to take up the
issues.
"I
will try to talk to the three congressmen of Bohol so that
together we can help resolve the issues and problems presented,"
Casiño said.
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