COB - OCABE

PRESS RELEASE
DOST-PAGASA S&T Media Service
Quezon City, 30 May 2026

START OF THE SOUTHWEST MONSOON

Ahead of the possible onset of the rainy season, the DOST-PAGASA officially announces the start of the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat over the Philippines, which is one of the precursors of the onset of the rainy season.

As Habagat becomes the dominant weather system, occasional to frequent rains and thunderstorms are expected, particularly over the western sections of the country. These conditions may signal the possible onset of the rainy season in the coming days.

However, there may be rain breaks that last a few days or weeks, known as monsoon breaks.

Read more: https://pagasa.dost.gov.ph/press-release/213

Mechanization and Infrastructure Support under the Corn Program

26 May 2026 | Tarlac City, Tarlac

The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office III awarded Certificates of Award to the Balanga Upland Farmers Association Inc. (BUFA) and Samahang Magsasaka ng Cabog-Cabog (SAMACA) amounting to Php 4,250,000.00 worth of agricultural machinery and infrastructure projects under the Corn Program.

The awarded projects aim to strengthen the farmers’ productivity, improve post-harvest operations, and support sustainable corn production in the City of Balanga.

The following agricultural machinery and infrastructure projects were awarded to the farmers’ organizations:

Balanga Upland Farmers Association Inc. (BUFA)

* 1 unit Four-Wheel Drive Tractor
* 1 unit Mechanical Four-Row Planter
* 2 units Pump and Engine Sets

Samahang Magsasaka ng Cabog-Cabog (SAMACA)

* 1 unit Multi-Crop Drying Pavement
* 2 units Grain Collector Baggers
* 2 units Moisture Meters

These interventions are expected to enhance farm efficiency, reduce labor costs, improve grain quality, and increase the overall productivity and competitiveness of the local corn industry.

𝐍𝐈𝐀 𝐏𝐚𝐦𝐁𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬

Tuesday, May 19 — The National Irrigation Administration Pampanga-Bataan Office (NIA PamBat), in coordination with the Office of the City Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer (OCABE) of Balanga City, conducted an inspection of three communal irrigation systems in Balanga City.

The inspection aimed to assess the condition of the irrigation systems and the status of their governing organizations, facilitate the digitization of irrigation system maps, including main structures, canals, and service areas, and improve system records and inter-agency coordination for more effective monitoring and management.

The data gathered will support the ongoing formulation of the Balanga City Soil and Water Irrigation Master Plan, further demonstrating the commitment of the City Government of Balanga and its partner agencies to enhancing irrigation infrastructure, promoting sustainable water management, and advancing agricultural development.

Present during the inspection were Engr. Maerion Bautista of OCABE, as well as Engr. Shaira A. Mina, Engr. Ferdinand G. Daplas, and Lanze C. Sto. Domingo of the NIA PamBat Office, together with their interns.

📷: NIA PamBat Interns

PCAF Monitors 2025 Awarded Agricultural Machinery Beneficiaries in Balanga City.
May 18, 2026

The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) conducted a Project Monitoring activity for funded projects under the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office III Rice Program. The activity was facilitated by the AFC Secretariat-Coordinator from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Ms. Normina B. Marabe, in coordination with the Office of the City Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer.

The monitoring covered two (2) units of 4-Wheel Drive Tractors awarded in 2025 with a total project cost of Php 3,120,000.00. These were granted to the Cupang West Multipurpose Cooperative and the Bataan Integrated Farmers Agricultural Cooperative (formerly Integrated Farmers Association).

During the initial findings, both recipient organizations received positive remarks from the monitoring team for their organized and comprehensive documentation of utilization reports. The submitted records reflected the commitment of the beneficiaries in ensuring that the granted agricultural machinery is properly utilized and effectively serves its intended farmer-beneficiaries.

𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐒𝐎 𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐎
|| MAY 14, 2026

Mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ang pagligo, paglangoy, paglalaro, at iba pang recreational activities sa mga irrigation canal, spillway, dam, at iba pang bahagi ng irrigation system sa lungsod.

Ipinapaalala ng City Government of Balanga, katuwang ang National Irrigation Administration (NIA) at iba pang kinauukulang ahensya, na ang mga irrigation facility ay eksklusibong ginawa para sa paghahatid ng tubig sa mga sakahan at hindi para sa recreational o domestic na paggamit. Alinsunod ito sa NIA Memorandum Circular No. 11, Series of 2012, na nagbabawal sa anumang obstruction, interference, o misuse ng irrigation canals at canal right-of-way.

Bagama’t maaaring mukhang mababaw o kalmado ang tubig sa ilang bahagi ng canal at dam, may posibilidad ng malalakas na agos, madudulas na bahagi, at biglaang pagtaas ng tubig na maaaring magresulta sa aksidente o pagkalunod. Maaari rin itong magdulot ng pagkasira ng canal structures, kontaminasyon ng tubig para sa agrikultura, at pagkaantala sa suplay at iskedyul ng irigasyon, lalo na ngayong may banta ng El Niño.

Hinihikayat ang lahat ng residente na makiisa sa pagpapanatili ng kaligtasan at kaayusan sa mga irrigation system ng lungsod.

Ang kaligtasan ng bawat isa ay responsibilidad ng lahat.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SCOPING

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION REGION III proposed a PANTINGAN SMALL RESERVOIR IRRIGATION PROJECT to be located in Balanga City and the Municipalities of Bagac, Pilar and Orion, all in the Provice of Bataan https://eia.emb.gov.ph/?page_id=8009