The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is moving forward with plans for a major water impounding project in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has scheduled a public scoping session from 3 – 4 December 2025 to brief residents and gather feedback.
The project aims to irrigate 4,600 hectares of farmland across eight barangays in Candaba and Arayat in Pampanga, and in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija. About 1,538 farmers are expected to benefit once the system becomes fully operational.
Plans include building a weir structure, digging retention ponds, and pumping water from the Pampanga River into an elevated reservoir. This setup is designed to store water during the rainy months and release it during the dry season—addressing current shortages caused by low river levels.
NIA says failing to pursue the project would leave farmers dependent on the current canal system, which struggles during dry months and leads to reduced harvests and lower incomes.
Pre-construction activities, including environmental and land acquisition requirements, are expected to wrap up by the first half of 2026. Construction is set to begin in late 2026 and run for about three years, covering major works such as excavation, reservoir and embankment construction, pumping stations, and solar power installation.
Testing and commissioning will follow, with regular operations targeted by 2029.
