Pangasinan dam project nearing completion

STA. MARIA, Pangasinan, Philippines — The construction of the Paitan Dam project in this town is almost complete, strengthening irrigation capacity in southern areas in the province amid threats of El Niño.

A joint inspection conducted by the Department of Agrarian Reform and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) showed that the project is in its final stage of completion.

Designed to store and regulate water from local river systems, the dam is expected to ensure a steadier irrigation supply for ricefields and other crops, thereby reducing farmers’ reliance on rainfall.

NIA-Ilocos acting manager Geffrey Catulin said the project would help stabilize production in one of the region’s key farming zones.

Aside from the Paitan Dam, the agency is accelerating the rehabilitation of existing irrigation systems across Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and La Union.