Agri chief orders review of solar-powered irrigation project

File photo by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Wednesday ordered a review of the Department of Agriculture Solar-Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) project.

The move comes after a social media comment by former Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol that some solar power units in Mindanao were completed in 2020 but were not turned over to the farmer-beneficiaries.

There were also reports that some solar-power units were defective, neglected, or did not work at all.

Tiu-Laurel told DA regional directors to assess the existing SPIS units, including functional units, and non-working units to provide efficiency to farmers.

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The assessment will also include recommendations on how to improve the SPIS program.

In a speech in Candaba, Pampanga, on February 3, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. opened the idea of implementing more solar-powered irrigation systems nationwide to combat the effects of the El Niňo in the agricultural sector.