A resolution for the continued implementation of the Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) was unanimously passed Friday. A joint consultative meeting among members of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of both Mabini and Alicia towns came about to tackle and discuss issues concerning a hold order from the office of Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alacala which was received last July 13 to stop implementation of all irrigation projects of the province's three districts under the SRIP with the reason that it is under review despite earlier release of funds and prior approval from the DA. Bohol Governor Edgar M. Chatto, Second District Congressman and former Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado and Third District Representative and former Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Arthur Yap sat down with the SP members to listen to suggestions and concerns regarding the SRIP. First District Representative Rene Relampagos, despite being unable to attend, expressed his support for whatever the body could come up with during the meeting through Gov. Chatto.

Chatto and the three congressmen were one in saying that Bohol's slot as the rice granary in Central Visayas and the Chatto-Lim Administration's target of 120% rice self-sufficiency would be drastically affected if the SRIP would not be implemented for our rice, and even cornfields, all over the province would greatly suffer without the much-needed help of irrigation. Chatto was able to speak personally with Sec. Alcala earlier this week and voiced out his great concern that irrigation also plays a very important role in both livestock and vegetable industries of the province. The hold order, according to Chatto, could hamper Bohol's great possibility of producing more crops which could help quite a lot in the food stability of the whole Region 7. Sec. Alcala was quoted in his conversation with the governor that he would be sending over a representative from his office to personally look into the problem which could speed up the process of the review. The governor also was able to seek audience earlier with Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. of the Senate Committee on Public Works and was able to get the latter's support in the continuation of the construction of access roads all over the province as long as we meet the requirements for implementation. Chatto and our three representatives in Congress are quite positive that our clamor for both the SRIP and circumferential roads implementation would be realized the sooner for Bohol's continued sustainable development. (jlv/EDCom)