Typhoon Carina destroys irrigation systems worth P29.1M in Calabarzon

RESERVOIR This aerial photo shows the floodwaters entering the Upper Wawa Damreservoir in Rodriguez, Rizal, and how the dam’s controlled impounding system reduced the impact of flooding caused by Supertyphoon “Carina” (international name: Gaemi). —WAWAJVCO INC.

LUCENA CITY — Supertyphoon Carina (international name: Gaemi) and the enhanced southwest monsoon destroyed P29.1 million worth of government irrigation systems in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region, the National Irrigation Administration–IV-A (NIA-IV-A) reported on Tuesday, July 30.

The damaged irrigation infrastructures affected 4,987 hectares of farmland and 5,134 farmers.

Laguna province recorded the highest crop damage worth P45.8 million in communal irrigation systems (CIS) and P34 million in national irrigation systems, NIA-IV-A said.

Some of the damaged infrastructure includes a 20-meter collapsed canal lining the west main canal of the Mayor River Irrigation System (RIS) in Mabitac, Laguna.

The sluice gate of the Matanda River Irrigation System (RIS) in Tanza, Cavite, and the brass dam and river channeling of the Agos River Irrigation System (RIS) in Infanta, Quezon, were also damaged, the agency said.

The estimated repair cost includes P5.1 million in “Level 1” damage that requires immediate work to restore service areas and another P24 million in “Level 2” for extensive work to restore the irrigation facilities to their original condition, the NIA-IV-A said.

Since last week, the agency has dispatched field personnel, with the help of irrigators associations, to conduct immediate desilting and clearing operations along irrigation canals to remove debris and restore water flow.

The damage report will be submitted to the Office of the Civil Defense and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for quick response fund assistance.