The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), has scheduled an environmental impact assessmebr for the proposed Pantingan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project in Pilar, Bataan this week.
The public scoping will allow the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the project developer, to present an overview of the proposed project and gather concerns and feedback from residents and stakeholders.
According to the project description document posted on the EMB website, the irrigation project is estimated to cost P1.66 billion. The project aims to irrigate around 1,450 hectares of farmland through the construction of an earth embankment dam across the Talisay River in Barangay Cabog-Cabog, Balanga City, Bataan.
Water stored in the reservoir will flow by gravity to the existing Magsaysay Communal Irrigation System diversion dam, which will regulate and distribute water to current and proposed irrigation canals.
The proposed dam will measure 35 meters high and 195 meters long. It will include a 45-meter-wide ungated ogee-type side channel spillway. The irrigation system will also feature an estimated 8.1-kilometer concrete-lined main canal and about 14 kilometers of lateral canals, along with farm ditches and supplementary facilities.
NIA said the project is expected to support year-round crop production, increase planting areas, and improve crop yields by ensuring a stable water supply for farmers.
The project document also noted potential additional benefits, including tourism opportunities and possible hydroelectric power generation through future power plant facilities connected to the dam.
Construction of the dam and related structures is expected to take three years once all required permits and documents are secured.
NIA is the government agency tasked with developing water sources for irrigation nationwide.
