ILOILO City – With reservoir levels in Western Visayas nearing critical thresholds and forecasts pointing to a looming El Niño phenomenon, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region 6 has intensified emergency measures to protect agricultural water supply and shield farmers from an impending dry spell that could disrupt the next planting season.
NIA-6 revealed that water reserves have dropped to just 135 million cubic meters out of a 250-million capacity, raising concerns over irrigation sustainability if extreme heat persists.
According to NIA-6 manager Engr. Jonel Borres, while irrigation systems remain manageable at present, run-off river systems are already feeling the strain due to declining river levels.
“Ining amon nga mga system, especially ining mga run off the river ang tawag naton, gapaabot lang tubig sa suba. Apektado na gid ini. May ara kita water cut-off. Bal-an sang farmers naka-schedule na sila subong… Kun mag dugay ini, definitely may epekto gid ini sa sunod nga planting season,” said Borres.
He added: “Ang indicator naton, ang reservoir nga may gin tipon kita. May ara kita estimated 135 million cubic meters lang out of 250 nga maximum. So medyo lapit na sa tunga.”
To cushion the impact, NIA-6 has deployed 30 heavy equipment units for desilting and repair of irrigation canals to maximize limited water supply ahead of cropping cycles.
The agency is also accelerating the rollout of solar-powered irrigation systems to help farmers cope with rising fuel costs. A total of 141 Solar Pump Irrigation Program (SPIP) units are now operational across the region.
“During this season of extreme heat, the spike in fuel costs for diesel and gas is a significant concern for farmers. Fortunately, our solar pump project circumvents these price fluctuations by relying on renewable energy, which ensures a steady supply of water to our crops,” Borres emphasized.
Farmers have welcomed the initiative, particularly in areas with reliable water sources suitable for solar irrigation.
NIA-6 is likewise promoting climate-adaptive farming practices, including drought-resistant crops and high-value alternatives, in coordination with other government agencies.
Acting division manager Engr. Rebecca Grana underscored the importance of water conservation strategies as El Niño approaches.
“We are teaching farmers that rice does not need to be always submerged in water,” Grana said, referring to the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) technique that reduces water use while maintaining yields.
Irrigators Development Officers have also been mobilized to train farmers on proper irrigation scheduling and crop selection.
With climate variability intensifying, NIA-6 said its proactive measures aim to sustain farm productivity and protect livelihoods across Western Visayas despite tightening water supply./PN
