The members of SDG 14: Life Below Water together with the faculty members of the College of Fisheries in Central Luzon State University (CF-CLSU) met virtually the representative of the National Irrigation Administration – Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-UPRIIS) last November 2, 2021 to tackle possible collaboration on the implementation and formulation of Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) of Balbalungao Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (BSRIP) located at Barangay San Isidro, Lupao, Nueva Ecija.
According to Mr. Venydick I. Santos, Engineer-in-charge of BSRIP, the project has service area of 840 hectares and intended to cater around 562 farmer beneficiaries. The major objective of BSRIP is to serve as source of irrigation for farmers; moreover, for its minor objectives, the reservoir could be utilized for fish culture, flood control and as an eco-tourism site. Mr. Santos also presented the various IWMP activities with some were already completed. The ongoing activities are on biological components such as identification of terrestrial flora and fauna, and fishes. Mr. Santos sought the assistance of the members of SDG 14 and faculty members of CF-CLSU on the molecular identification of fishes at the project site.
The Acting Dean of CF-CLSU, Dr. Ravelina R. Velasco, was very positive to extend the necessary assistance for the completion of activities of the IWMP-BSRIP. On top of this collaboration, Dean Velasco asked for the drafting of Memorandum of Agreement to have a clearer understanding on the roles and responsibilities of the parties to be involved. The members of SDG 14 and faculty members of CF-CLSU also expressed their positive outlook on this future collaboration with NIA-UPRIIS.
Prior to this, a previous collaborative activity was done through the “Webinar on Water Irrigation Management” with Engr. Russel DG. Patricio, the Acting Operation Unit Head of NIA-UPRIIS Division I as the resource speaker.
