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55<br />
The need to help rice and corn farmers is ever pressing,<br />
especially given problems on seasonal climate variability.<br />
Government programs on input subsidy and irrigation<br />
support serve a very good purpose but prudence should also<br />
be exercised in ensuring the cost-effectiveness and<br />
sustainability of any development intervention.<br />
(SWIPs), 22,282 small farm reservoirs (SFRs) and 30,728<br />
shallow tubewells (STWs). These are classified as smallscale<br />
irrigation systems, with each structure servicing only<br />
limited farm areas. Average service areas <strong>for</strong> the systems<br />
are 55 ha <strong>for</strong> SWIP, 1–2 ha <strong>for</strong> SFR, and 3–5 ha <strong>for</strong> STW.<br />
Though relatively limited in coverage, small scale irrigation<br />
systems have lower investment cost per hectare, and most<br />
could be developed by private persons or entities.<br />
As mitigating measure against climatic aberration<br />
like droughts and floods, irrigation facilities serve both as<br />
water reservoir and drainage. There are, however,<br />
limitations. During times of drought, <strong>for</strong> instance, the<br />
service areas of NIA-administered systems are drastically<br />
cut. The tail-end portion of serviced farms often<br />
experience water shortages during prolonged dry spells<br />
or sometimes even during regular dry season. The<br />
situation entails the use of supplementary water sources<br />
such as on-farm reservoirs or other small-scale irrigation<br />
systems.<br />
Agronomists agree that irrigation support <strong>for</strong> rice is<br />
necessary if greater productivity is to be desired. However,<br />
the cost involved in establishing, rehabilitiating, and<br />
managing irrigation systems is staggering. PCARRD (2005)<br />
estimated that the cost of just rehabilitating existing<br />
irrigation facilities is about P100,000 to P150,000 per<br />
hectare with an operation cost of P2,000–3,000 per<br />
hectare per year. As most irrigation facilities in the country<br />
service only rice, it may be wise to look into diversification,<br />
specifically into the possibility of providing irrigation to<br />
more high-value crops/commodities. Another option is<br />
the establishment of small-scale irrigation systems, which<br />
cost much less per hectare as compared to national and<br />
communal irrigation systems.<br />
The need to help rice and corn farmers is ever<br />
pressing, especially given problems on seasonal climate<br />
variability. Government programs on input subsidy and<br />
irrigation support serve a very good purpose but<br />
prudence should also be exercised in ensuring the costeffectiveness<br />
and sustainability of any development<br />
intervention. (SCF Project Updates, December 2007)<br />
Evolution of the 2007–2008 La Niña<br />
episode and the climate scenario<br />
In July 2007, signs of an evolving La Niña episode<br />
were already confirmed which later developed into<br />
a full-blown La Niña, albeit a weak one, in September<br />
2007. This then reached its maximum strength in February<br />
2008. By May 2008, though, transition from this cold event<br />
to a neutral condition began to be observed and this<br />
month—June—the La Niña episode is expected to end.<br />
<strong>Development</strong>s that unfolded<br />
The onset of La Niña toward the last quarter of last year<br />
brought to an end the June–July 2007 dry spell condition<br />
experienced in Regions 1, 2, Cordillera Administrative<br />
Region (CAR), National Capital Region (NCR), and Central<br />
Luzon (see story on the 2007 dry spell in Luzon in the SCF<br />
Project Updates issue of September 2007). With it came a<br />
significant increase in rainfall volume as three tropical<br />
cyclones immediately entered the <strong>Philippine</strong>s’ area of<br />
responsibility (PAR) in August 2007, followed by another<br />
rainy month in September with the coming of another<br />
three cyclones, namely, Falcon, Goring, and Hanna. These<br />
disturbances, especially Hanna which crossed the country,<br />
brought heavy rains, widespread flooding, and landslides<br />
over Western Visayas and some areas of Luzon. This was<br />
the time when the southwest monsoon was active.<br />
As the transition period from the southwest to the<br />
northeast monsoon season took place in October, the<br />
presence of the ridge of high pressure area persisted over<br />
Luzon, signifying generally good weather with below<br />
normal rainfall condition <strong>for</strong> the area. Un<strong>for</strong>tunately, <strong>for</strong><br />
the other parts of the country like the Visayas and some