TITLE:
Socioeconomic Impact of Small Water Impounding Projects in Quirino Province, Philippines
AUTHORS:
Rey C. Naval
KEYWORDS:
Small Water Impounding Project, Socioeconomic Impact, Quirino Province
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.4 No.6,
June
21,
2016
ABSTRACT: The study was conducted to determine the socioeconomic
impact two (2) Small Water Impounding Projects (SWIPs) namely Burgos SWIP in Cabarroguis
and Divisoria Norte SWIP in Maddela, both in the Province of Quirino, Philippines.
The study made use of structured questionnaire to gather the socio-demographic profile
and determined the socioeconomic impact of the SWIPs to the farmer-beneficiaries.
Most of the farmer-beneficiaries of Burgos and Divisoria Norte SWIPs are male, 40
- 59 years old, married, have below four household members, Roman Catholic, high
school graduates and some are members of cooperatives. They are rice farmers, and
have attended one to two training courses related to farming and own a 1.00 to 1.99
hectares farm. “Utilization of water in the reservoir for other purposes like wallowing
pool for carabaos” and “integration of fish production and livestock raising” were
the identified benefits at the farmer’s level while “introduction of new techniques
in farming by the Local Government Units,” “availability of cheap fish and additional
income as a result of integration of fish production” and “construction of better
roads” were the identified benefits at the community level. The SWIPs have positive
impact as confirmed by the increase in the annual mean yield and in the annual gross
income of the farmer-beneficiaries. It contributed a significant increase of 2.14
tons/year in the mean yield generating an additional income of PhP 32,113.64 for
Burgos SWIP. On the other hand, it contributed a significant increase of 2.08 tons/year
giving an additional income of PhP 31,313.60 for Divisoria Norte farmer-beneficiaries.
The result of this study will provide strategic information to policy makers of
agricultural and irrigation agencies on the existing weaknesses of irrigation systems
in the country and determine in a more quantifiable terms level of potential improvement
and investment targets.