The National Irrigation Administration has vowed to terminate the services of several Chinese workers after the completion of the P4.37-billion Chico River pump irrigation project in Pinukpuk, Kalinga.
In a statement, NIA said the 66 Chinese workers hired by the Chinese contractor were “highly technical and highly skilled,” and were necessary to build the tunnel and pumping station for completion before the end of the year.
“Once completed, most of these Chinese workers will be terminated,” the agency said.
At least 347 Filipino workers, mostly from the area, have been working in the project.
The Chinese workers are part of the project’s manpower specializing in tunneling and the construction of the pumping station with their state-of-the-art equipment and technology.
While Filipino workers “may be capable enough of doing this,” the collaboration with Chinese workers would make the work faster to shorten the construction period.
The Cordillera People’s Alliance earlier showed a video of some Chinese workers seen at the project site.
“This might have led Mike Cabangon of Kilusang Mayo Uno-Cordillera to say that this is a huge insult to the Filipino workers,” NIA said.
“Mr. Cabangon should have verified his observations before arriving at his conclusion.”
The project could irrigate elevated rice fields through a pumping station, and not through a diversion dam or a reservoir “contrary to what several opposing groups say.”
The project has a total service area of 8,700 hectares that will be provided with water for irrigation, and 4,350 farmer-beneficiaries and their families will benefit from it.
NIA says the project could provide 14,784 jobs during its implementation and 8,700 permanent jobs when it becomes operational.
