THE Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) said on Thursday it needs P1.5 billion to roll out small-scale irrigation projects to mitigate the ill effects of the prolonged dry spell next year.
BSWM Director Silvino Q. Tejada said the agency has already submitted its request to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). The budget will be used to construct small irrigation structures in different parts of the country as part of the BSWM’s seven-year national master plan on small-scale irrigation projects.
“We have already submitted to the DBM our seven-year master plan. That will serve as the basis for the DBM to release funds for small irrigation projects to the Department of Agriculture [DA],” Tejada told reporters in a news conference.
He said the BSWM has identified areas where it will establish small water-impounding systems and small diversion dams.
“This is the immediate response of the government, particularly the DA, to address water scarcity in farm irrigation, especially now that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration reported that the drought will last until the first semester of next year,” Tejada said.
He said, the BSWM received P1.2 billion in 2015 for the implementation of its small-scale irrigation projects. The agency attached to the DA has proposed a higher budget in 2016 due to El Niño.
Tejada added that the agency is continuing its cloud-seeding operations in areas affected by drought. These operations are conducted in cooperation with the Philippine Air Force and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Tejada said the BSWM said it is helping the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in crafting a 10-year master plan to wipe out the 2.4-million-hectare backlog in the country’s irrigated areas. “We are coordinating with the NIA, particularly in the selection of sites. As per the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act, we have a very clear delegation. For big projects with elevated structures of 18 meters and above, that’s for NIA. Those that are 18 meters and below are for BSWM,” he said.
Environment Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio Jr. said there is no water scarcity in the Philippines, only a lack in facilities to store and distribute water.“The Philippines has more than enough water. We’re just throwing away our water. Based on our estimates, we are currently using only 38 percent of our water,” he said.