SAN JOSE, Tarlac — President Benigno S. Aquino III fulfilled on Thursday his father Ninoy and mother Cory’s dream for their home province with the launching of the Balog-Balog Multipurpose Project Phase II (BBMP II).
“The Php13.37 billion project involves the construction of an earth-fill dam at the upper Bulsa River as well as irrigation canals and structures,” Aquino said.
The Dam and Reservoir has a height of 105.5m, length of 1,429.47m, and storage capacity of 560MCM.
Diversion tunnel, on the other hand, has a diameter of 11m and length of 464.26m.
Moreover, Irrigation Canals and Structures consist of 60km of Main Canals and 248km of Laterals.
“BBMP II will provide irrigation services to 21,935 hectares new areas as well as stabilize irrigation supply to the existing 12,475 hectares service area of BBMP Phase I for a total service area of 34,410 hectares at full development,” he furthered.
An estimated 23,000 farmers in the municipalities of Paniqui, Pura, Ramos, Victoria, Gerona, San Jose, La Paz, Capas, and Concepcion and Tarlac City will benefit from the project.
“Upon its completion by 2018, it would increase cropping intensity in the project area from 124% to 200% thereby increasing crop production and farm income levels,” the President added.
BBMP II will also be utilized for flood control, inland fish production, and potential generation of 43.5MW of hydropower./CLJD/MJLS-PIA 3