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Someone talked
to me about installing an irrigation system
l was not interested!
(Decision)
lf there is no irrigation,
we check the place first
and when we see a river or a creek
we study how to irrigate the whole area.
This is being studied
because this is a huge project,
this is not just a project
it involves a big amount of money.
The bottom line
is the economic internal rate of return
before we make the decision
on whether to install the irrigation or not.
Before we start the project,
there will be a thorough Feasibility Study
then pre-engineering survey
detailed engineering survey,
until the construction of the Project.
lt was 2001 when the Feasibility Study started
under SPISP.
The NIA and the SPISP consultants
carefully made plans to start an FS
for Logum, Baobo sub-project.
They trained IDOs and technical staff,
gathered information and consulted
and organized the farmers.
My mother-in-law
encouraged me to join the organization
for the irrigation.
l did.
Many were pleased when representatives
from SPISP upon hearing the news from the
Southern Philippines Irrigation Sector Project.
But some of them adamantly refused.
One of them was Norberto Sotelo.
Someone talked to me
about installing an irrigation system.
l was not interested!
Of all the farmers in Baobo
the tough one
l can really point out would be him.
We found it hard to make him understand.
He kept on refusing.
lt was still in the 70's when they
were talking about this irrigation project.
We got tired of hearing about that
for nothing was happening.
His thinking was awfully negative.
He kept on saying, ''it's not going to happen.''
l really believed that nothing would happen
with that irrigation Project of NIA.
l lost my interest.
''lt's just a survey, nothing is true.
lt pisses me off.''
They even gave the NIA a meaning
in their own dialect...
''a long-time promise''
and 'there you go again.''
We felt discouraged but still,
we kept on doing our job and responsibility
we always have to be understanding
not all farmers' responses can be positive
We try to go back to them
but if they still refuse.
then we can't do anything but understand.
The PIMT maintains equal rights
for water given to farmers.
By participating,
the stakeholders of irrigation or the farmers
have the right to influence and control actions
for their own improvement
Iike financial capital and resources
that would affect them.
Through the hard work of the NIA-SPISP
and the participation of the farmers,
the construction of the irrigation system
in Baobo River Irrigation System
was a staggering success in 2007;
and it gave hope
for those who believed the project.
Their rice fields
have changed from being unproductive.
And they are now experiencing
an improvement in their economic way of life.
(Do you have a source of water?)
Yes l have. Small creeks.
That's what he's proud of,
he doesn't need the NIA
because he has a creek for water sources.
There are two creeks
but they dry up when there's too much heat,
if there is no rain
the water source totally dries up.
When his resources dried up,
he came to our members
and tried to request for a water turnout.
Too bad, the design was installed already.
He missed the opportunity.
They answered back politely
only that they couldn't grant my request
because of insufficient funds.
Not only did Norberto
turn against the irrigation,
he turned against improving his livelihood
as well for not participating in the community
project towards a better agricultural production
which used to be a big dream for many of them.
They have become more mature now.
There are many benefits
to have from having an irrigation project.
Farmers can also build fishponds
or raise ducks whose eggs
can also be a source of income.
lf there's an irrigation system,
there's water supply all the time.
The SPISP has this guideline
about participatory approach.
lts main concern
is to give welfare to the community.
l want to be a member of the irrigation system
because it's better if there's irrigation,
you can have water anytime.
We would like to give our gratitude to theADB,
our financing institution.
They helped us a lot, especially the farmers.
We would like to thank the
Asian Development Bank for making
the SPISP's programs possible here in Baobo.
Norberto is still grateful
not because he missed a great opportunity
but because of the vital lesson he learned.
l'm still hoping
and expecting that
the irrigation system reaches our area.