NWRB to cut water allocation for irrigation in Bulacan, Pampanga during harvest 

This photo shows the spillway of Angat Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan, taken during a dry spell in
June 2019. NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. said water allocation will be decreased during the harvest season in Bulacan and Pampanga. File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — The amount of water allocation for irrigation in Bulacan and Pampanga will be decreased in May when farmers are in their harvest season, according to National Water Resources Board (NWRB) Executive Director Sevillo David Jr.

David said that the water allocation would be deliberately lessened from 30 cubic meters per second (cms) to 10 cm from May 1 to 10 before completely being suspended for the remainder of the month.

“Nag-aani po yung mga kasama nating pagsasaka diyan sa Bulacan at Pampanga. Pagka-malapit na sila mag-aani o nag-aani po, hindi na rin po ganoon kalaki yung patubig na kailangan nila. Kaya po ito pong buwan ng Mayo, ay minabuti po na i-adjust yung alokasyon from 30 cms nung buwan ng Abril, ay 10 cms nalang ito ngayong buwan, at effective po mula May 1 hanggang May 10 po nalang po,” said David in the Laging Handa public hearing when asked why the water allocation for irrigation was cut in May.

(Our farmers in Bulacan and Pampanga are harvesting. When they harvest or are harvesting, they do not need that much water. That is why this month of May, we thought it best to adjust the allocation from 30 cm in April to 10 cm this month, and this is in effect from May 1 until May 10 only.)

David also added that only about 2,000 hectares of farmlands need irrigation in Bulacan and Pampanga, so they do not need as much water.

When asked when the water will return, David said they are coordinating with the National Irrigation Administration for the cropping schedule. This is when the farmers will need more water again.

While there is no definite date, David estimated that irrigation for these areas would return by the second or third week of June.

The NWRB said these suspensions were regular and would not affect crop planting.

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JPV