Assessing the Resurgent Irrigation Development Program of the Philippines – Communal Irrigation Systems Component ; PIDS: Discussion Paper Series ; No. 2020-02

The project aims to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the government's irrigation program with focus on the technical, physical, and institutional aspects of performance of communal irrigation systems (CIS). Cycle 1 involved the assessment of 66 communal irrigation systems (CIS) from 11 provinces in Luzon, while Cycle 2 covered 12 CIS from 4 provinces in the Visayas, and 12 CIS from 4 provinces in Mindanao. Provinces were selected based on the total FUSA served by CIS, while the selection of sample CIS per province were based on size category of service areas: small (50 ha and below), medium (between 50 and 100 ha), and large (above 100 ha). They were then characterized based on water source, type of extraction/ distribution technology (gravity, pump), FUSA, operational status and cropping intensity. Primary and secondary data were collected. Key informant interviews (KII) of the RIO or IMO Managers, as well as other key actors such as NIA-IDOs and the IA President, were conducted using a structured questionnaire. Focus group discussions with IA officers/ members were likewise carried out. Walkthroughs to gauge the physical conditions of the systems were conducted in 2 of the 6 selected CIS from the 11 provinces in Luzon for a total of 22, and in all the 24 CIS selected in Visayas and Mindanao. Majority of the selected CIS are gravity systems except in some provinces where there are more pump irrigation systems. Water sources of the CIS are lakes, rivers, creeks, springs, runoff and ground water. While some rivers tapped have adequate flows for irrigation even during the dry seasons, unreliable water supply is a major problem for majority of the CIS who tap water from less dependable small rivers and creeks, or rely on springs and runoff. In most of the CIS visited, farmers resort to conjunctive use of STWs with their CIS especially during long dry periods. Many CIS where found to be in slope greater that 3%, and as such, it is recommended to include all areas within 8% slope, minus the built-up and ...