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Final yr, we went to my brother-in-law’s hometown in Nueva Ecija. We took benefit of the Holy Week break and explored the city as a lot as we are able to. After dropping off in Gapan, we went to go to some relations in Peñaranda, Nueva Ecija. Right here, we got here throughout an fascinating website. We handed by way of a slender concrete bridge and noticed a fully-functioning dam, the Peñaranda River Irrigation System. Fortunately, I managed to satisfied my household to test and go to the location earlier than we head again to Gapan.
Irrigation has been practiced within the nations for hundreds of years. It may be traced again through the Spanish occupation when giant estates developed a community of communal irrigation system to assist out farmers. . The Peñaranda Irrigation System within the Philippines stands as a shining instance of how modern irrigation infrastructure can remodel arid landscapes into thriving agricultural hubs.
An outdated photograph displaying the Penaranda dam. Credit score: Kasaysayang Nueva Ecija
Nueva Ecija is the house of among the larger dams or irrigation programs within the nation. Few of them consists of the well-known Pantabangan Dam which is taken into account one of many largest in Southeast Asia and is among the cleanest reservoirs as effectively. It was accomplished in 1974. Only recently, one other dam undertaking was accomplished, the Higher Tabuating Dam in Normal Tinio, Nueva Ecija. The undertaking was accomplished in 2020, boosting the rice harvest of the province.
Peñaranda River Irrigation System will not be as enormous because the aforementioned dams however it managed to face up to time and nonetheless serves its goal. The Irrigation system is positioned in San Josef, Peñaranda. The development of the dam started in 1925 and was accomplished in 1930, making Peñaranda River Irrigation System not simply one of many oldest but additionally one of many largest dams in Luzon.
The Peñaranda River Irrigation System is supervised and administered by the Nationwide Irrigation Administration -Higher Pampanga River Built-in Irrigation Programs (NIA-UPRIIS), a government-owned and managed company primarily answerable for irrigation growth and administration in provinces like Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, and Tarlac.
The primary supply of provide for PenRIS or the Peñaranda River Irrigation System is in fact the Peñaranda River which might be greatest identified for the Minalungao Nationwide Park. The Peñaranda Irrigation System, positioned within the province of Nueva Ecija, is among the Philippines’ largest and most profitable irrigation initiatives. It was initiated within the late Sixties, through the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, to handle the challenges posed by water shortage within the area. The first aims of this undertaking had been to enhance agricultural productiveness, alleviate poverty, and guarantee meals safety for the nation.
The guts of the Peñaranda Irrigation System is its in depth canal community, which spans over 24,000 hectares. This community attracts water from the Pampanga River and redistributes it to the farmlands of Nueva Ecija. As of 2020, the dam continues to be assembly its water provide, serving 15,806 farmer-beneficiaries in three provinces, the Peñaranda Dam caters one metropolis and 6 municipalities, particularly: Gapan Metropolis, Peñaranda, Cabiao and San Isidro in Nueva Ecija, San Miguel and San Ildefonso in Bulacan, and Arayat and Candaba in Pampanga.
Picture: Gandang Nueva Ecija
Other than being a superb help to farmlands, the Peñaranda River Irrigation System can also be standard amongst vacationers particularly throughout summer season. Throughout its heyday within the 80s, the location has turn out to be a well-liked place to shoot varied motion pictures.
Right here’s an intimate scene of actor Dante Varona and his main girl within the film Patron (1988) showcasing the great thing about the Peñaranda Dam. There’s additionally a White Citadel Industrial beginning the younger Lorna Tolentino with the Peñaranda dam on the background.
It’s fascinating to notice that the Peñaranda River Irrigation System went by way of a rehabilitation final 2019. An Eco Park was constructed via the DILG Efficiency Problem Fund (PCF) program. These consists of the development of cottages alongside the river, permitting locals to bond with their households whereas having fun with the gorgeous view of the river.
When the water will not be too excessive, locals used to swim within the river. We managed to see a bunch of youngsters having fun with the water of Peñaranda. It will not be as stunning as earlier than (like what most individuals describe it) however it’s absolutely price visiting.
In spite of everything, anybody can entry the Eco Park with no cost.
Whereas the Peñaranda Irrigation System has been a exceptional success, it faces ongoing challenges resembling upkeep, siltation, and local weather change impacts. To make sure its continued effectiveness, modernization efforts are wanted, together with the incorporation of sensible irrigation applied sciences and sustainable water administration practices.
This put up is a part of my Nueva Ecija Escapade collection. Be at liberty to revisit my earlier entries right here:
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References: UPRIIS / Water, Works and Wages / Inquirer / NIA – UPRIIS /
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