President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gives a speech in this file photo taken on June 14, 2023, during the launching of the Consolidated Rice Production and Mechanization Program in Banga, South Cotabato. (Photo from the Presidential Communications Office)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday told farmers in Cotabato to take care of the newly inaugurated Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project Stage II (MMIP-II).
Marcos led the inauguration ceremony in Cotabato in Mindanao.
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“Ang proyektong ito ay mula sa taumbayan, tungo sa taumbayan, kaya dapat pangalagaan din ng taumbayan. As a people-owned infrastructure, you must take care of this very valuable project that we are inaugurating today,” Marcos said.
(This project is from the people, for the people, so the people must take care of it. As a people-owned infrastructure, you must take care of this very valuable project that we are inaugurating today.)
“Mahalin, ingatan, pangalagaan, magbigayan, at huwag abusuhin (Love, care, share and do not abuse it),” Marcos told the farmers.
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According to the Palace, the newly inaugurated MMIP-II cost P5.133 billion, and covers a total agricultural land area of 9,528 hectares in North Cotabato and Maguindanao del Sur.
Once operational, 4,000 farmers are set to benefit from the irrigation project.
“Without water, there are no farms. Without farms, there are no food. No food, no life. Therefore, water is life. With this comes another fundamental truth, Without water security, we cannot have food security,” said Marcos.
Joining Marcos in the ceremony are Mindanaoan cabinet officials Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and Special Assistant to the President of the Philippines Antonio Lagdameo Jr.