With/Out Irrigation Water, Better Farming, Even Better Forestry!

 

Can you connect PH’s Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) with National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and indigenous peoples (IPs)? Yes: Think water, watershed, wetland, wetness, wellness!

(Composite image: top from DA ZAMPEN[1] Facebook sharing by Noel Ocampo Reyes, bottom[2] from Weebly.com, and middle[3] from PGS Pilipinas Facebook sharing)

The NIA held a public consultation 25 June 2021 in Mabini, Pangasinan about constructing a dam in that town (Eva Visperas, 29 June 2021, “Dam Project In Pangasinan Town Opposed[4],” PhilStar.com). Mayor Ariel de Guzman said Mabini would have only minimal benefits, while damages and destruction to natural resources would be much: the river would die, and landslides would occur.

As an agriculturist and a communicator for development in the last 40 years, I say the NIA should think of sustainable development first of all – Is your program or project technically feasible? and economically viable? and environmentally sound? and socially acceptable?

Technically feasible?Yes, we can build an irrigation dam for water, a hydroelectric dam for electric current.

Economically viable? Yes, the people will pay for the services.

Environmentally sound? No. The watershed feeding water to the river has been neglected. It needs rehabilitation first.

Socially acceptable? No. ANN reports (Author Not Named, 18 March 2012, “Farmers, Indigenous People Oppose Alabamas Dam Project In Pangasinan[5],” Weebly.com) that the people are against it: farmers and IPs of the Alabamas Movement and Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (AMGL, Farmers Alliance in Central Luzon), where ALABAMAS stands for the western towns of Pangasinan: Alaminos, Bani, Mabini and Sual.

According to ANN (cited), this government project will be requiring P6.95 billion (B) in total expenses, as follows: P95 million in the preparation stage, and P6 billion in construction. I say NIA should have consulted first with the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR) as to the viability of such a project – and if none, what can be done about it.

I say the preparations for the construction of the hydroelectric dam should have involved the enrichment of the watershed above and along the Balincaguing River. In fact, as every forester should know, it is the forested areas above the river that supply it with water, and is why it is called watershed – water + shed (release).

Now, the DENR would say: First is massive reforestation of the watershed involving the Balincaguing River – otherwise, it is understandable that the people will damn that dam!

While waiting for such irrigation dam, the IPs should be taught the Participatory Guarantee System(PGS), following RA 11511. The PGS is organic farming where the farmer’s produce is guaranteed as organic by the system, with minimum expenses.

What’s more, organic farming helps build the watershed!

I guarantee that with my Lazy Juan’s organic farming formula[6] (22 June 2021, “Lazy Juan’s Formula For “Instant Fertilizer, Organic” – For Happier Farming, Healthier Food, Half Cost, Higher Income!” Brave New World, Bravenewworldph.blogspot.com).

It is time to teach Filipinos, indigenous or not, that organic foods are healthy and easy to raise if you use your head!@517

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[1]http://zambo.da.gov.ph/?fbclid=IwAR0h26zpOEnqiHIXLKMECYDwOGAuYSM99gcUkLUMuloxPYiiU16sP_y91yY

[2]http://amgl-kmp.weebly.com/statements/farmers-indigenous-people-oppose-alabamas-dam-project-in-pangasinan

[3]https://x.facebook.com/1558339251050349/photos/a.1586518588232415/2791566427727619/?type=3&source=48

[4]https://www.philstar.com/nation/2021/06/29/2108752/dam-project-pangasinan-town-opposed?fbclid=IwAR2d8j-t0pxa4Qx7EjEHbDt9a2vx3ioZxtwNPtlf30eTXhIKTRhhvxt6rsQ

[5]http://amgl-kmp.weebly.com/statements/farmers-indigenous-people-oppose-alabamas-dam-project-in-pangasinan

[6]https://bravenewworldph.blogspot.com/2021/06/lazy-juans-formula-for-instant.html