Tuguegarao City – The Cagayan Valley Regional Development Council Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC) approved the endorsement of the Tumauini River Multipurpose Project (TRMP) during its 3rd quarter regular meeting held on September 19, 2019.

National Irrigation Administration (NIA) technical specialist, Engr. Federico Ordinario presented the TRMP in the said meeting. The TRMP aims to provide adequate and timely water supply for irrigation to about 8,200 hectares and increase the productivity and income of 5,860 farmers in about 8,200 hectares of rice and corn farms in the municipalities of Cabagan, Ilagan and Tumauini. The proposed project will be implemented by NIA with an estimated total cost of PhP8.58 Billion for possible local and foreign funding.

The project involves the construction of a high dam across the upper reaches of the Tumauini River for water impounding, and develop a more efficient irrigation system for the expansion of its service area. The reservoir shall also be utilized to generate 7 megawatts hydro-electric power and additional 10 percent of the area for solar power generation. The area will also be developed into an ecotourism site to benefit local stakeholders.

One key component of the project is the upgrading of the main, lateral, sub-lateral canals, farm ditches, and associated structures for more efficient delivery of irrigation services and greater coverage of its irrigation service area.

The project shall also serve as a flood mitigation structure to protect people, settlements, infrastructure and livelihood that are located along the Pinacanauan de Tumauini, a major tributary of the Cagayan River.

The NIA as the project proponent assured that affected families will be properly compensated and will reduce or mitigate negative social and environmental impacts during the construction phase.

The IDC approved the endorsement of the project to the RDC with NIA to reconsider revalidation of several service areas which are prone to flooding, and the projected yields per hectare which are relatively higher than the current Philippine Statistics Authority data.

Also in the same meeting, the Committee approved the reactivation of the Project Development Assistance Center (PDAC) to respond to the clamor of stakeholders in the region for technical assistance in the preparation of business cases, feasibility studies or projects proposals; and endorsed the Conduct of Feasibility Study for Cauayan City Alternate Route for the road development towards its proposed New Urban Core.