Mindoro irrigation project to undergo public scrutiny as farmers seek water security

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has scheduled a public scoping meeting for July 17, 2025 to discuss the proposed Lipitan small reservoir irrigation project, which would serve 6,676 hectares of farmland through the construction of two dams.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), which is leading the project, will present its plans to stakeholders during the consultation.

The session will gather people’s feedback and identify potential environmental and social issues before the project proceeds.

Public scoping is essentially a town hall meeting where government agencies present proposed projects to the residents that would be affected.

During these meetings, community members, farmers, environmental groups, and other stakeholders can ask questions, raise issues, and suggest modifications to the project.

The feedback collected helps government understand potential problems early on and adjust their plans accordingly.

The Lipitan small reservoir irrigation project in San Jose town involves constructing a zoned earthfill dam across the Kayakyan River and a fortified gabion dam across the Busuanga River.

While the project cost remains undisclosed, NIA expects the infrastructure to support nine existing communal irrigation systems.

Beyond water supply, the project is designed to generate 2.5 megawatts of hydroelectric power and could create eco-tourism opportunities and employment during both construction and operation phases.

AGRICULTURE IN A SNAPSHOT
Occidental Mindoro’s agricultural sector faces mounting pressure from water shortages and climate change.

Rice production in Occidental Mindoro fell 7.2% in 2024 to 304,285 metric tons, down from 327,746 tons the previous year, according to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data.

PSA revealed that 325 hectares of onion and 539 hectares of rice had been damaged by the drought, with losses amounting to about P87 million. The drought conditions prompted several municipalities to declare states of calamity in early 2024.

Without adequate irrigation infrastructure, NIA warns that farmlands across the province will remain vulnerable to increasingly frequent droughts linked to climate change, further undermining agricultural productivity in an island where farming forms the economic backbone.

File photo by NIA Mimaropa (for illustration purposes only)