04/08/2026
๐๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ๐โ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐ค๐๐ฒ๐๐ง ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฃ๐๐๐ญ
โOn July 28, 2026, the National Irrigation AdministrationโEastern Western Samar Irrigation Management Office (NIAโEWSIMO), in collaboration with the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), successfully conducted the Public Scoping for the proposed LlorenteโBalangkayan Irrigation Project (IP).
โ
โThe LlorenteโBalangkayan IP has a proposed service area of 1,500 hectares spanning the municipalities of Llorente, Balangkayan, and Maydolong. It is envisioned to boost agricultural productivity and ensure longโterm food security in Eastern Samar.
โ
โPublic scoping is a vital step in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, ensuring transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. It provides a platform for dialogue where government agencies, local officials, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders can collaborate to refine project plans, integrate environmental safeguards, and align development with community priorities. By defining the scope early on, the process establishes clear boundaries for the assessment, prioritizes significant environmental and social aspects, and guides the preparation of a comprehensive and responsive EIA report.
โ
โFacilitated by EMB Region VIII, headed by Mr. Dave Eden C. Nielo, the scoping activity featured presentations by NIA technical experts led by Engr. Julio Senen M. Redoรฑa, Engr. Julius G. Lesigues, and For. Reynan M. Rosquites. The activity was further assisted by the NIA Central Office Project Planning Division, led by Engr. Gilmar Ballatan, together with Jay B. Estrella and Mary Grace Maniquiz, with support from NIAโEWSIMO and NIA Regional Office VIII staff.
โ
โThe event was attended by local leaders including Vice Mayor Edith Ann Contado of Balangkayan and Mayor Louie Borja of Maydolong, representatives from the Llorente LGU, and partner agencies such as the Department of Agriculture Region VIII, DPWH Eastern Samar, CENRO Borongan, and Samar Island Natural Park, alongside barangay officials, farmers, and community stakeholders from the projectโs impact areas.
โ
โThe LlorenteโBalangkayan IP is expected to deliver wide-ranging benefits: equitable water distribution, rehabilitation of existing irrigation systems, improved crop yields, enhanced resilience of farming communities and uplift the lives of the Samarnons farmers. By engaging everyone from farmers to policymakers, public scoping helps guarantee that the LlorenteโBalangkayan IP will serve as a foundation for food security, sustainable agriculture, and long-term progress in Eastern Samar.
โ
sa
โ
