NIA: Chinese workers in Chico irrigation project necessary

by Louise Maureen Simeon (The Philippine Star), May 5, 2019

MANILA, Philippines — The presence of Chinese workers in the P4.37-billion Chico River irrigation project is necessary for its completion, according to the National Irrigation Administration.

The NIA said the 66 Chinese workers hired for the project are “highly-technical and highly-skilled.”

“Once completed before the end of the year, the services of most of these Chinese workers will be terminated,” the NIA said.

“The Chinese workers… specializes in tunneling and construction of a pumping station with their state-of-the-art equipment and technology,” it added.

The Chico River project has 347 Filipino workers.

“Filipino workers maybe capable… of doing this, but the collaboration with Chinese workers makes the work faster, shortening the construction period,” the agency said.

The NIA was reacting to criticisms after a video showing Chinese workers at the site went viral. The Cordillera People’s Alliance claimed the Chinese workers receive better pay than their Filipino counterparts.

The agency also clarified that the project would irrigate elevated rice fields through a pumping station and not a diversion dam or a reservoir contrary to the claim of critics that it would pose danger to villagers.

“Displaced families are supportive of the project and were fairly compensated. Local government units and other stakeholders are well-informed on the development of the project,” the NIA said.

At least 4,350 farmers will benefit from the project, which is projected to provide 14,784 jobs during its implementation and 8,700 permanent jobs in the next three years.

The project, which is being built under an official development assistance from China, started last year. It covers the towns of Tuao and Piat in Cagayan and Pinukpuk in Kalinga.

The acceleration of infrastructure and development of industries yielding growth is part of the government’s 10-­point socioeconomic agenda, which is aimed at reducing poverty from 21.6 percent in 2015 to 13 to 15 percent in 2022.