Marcos committed to boost agri sector in same way as his father

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. graces the inauguration of Cabaruan Solar-Powered Pump Irrigation Project in Isabela on Monday, June 10, 2024. | Photo from Malacañang Press Corps pool

MANILA, Philippines—President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday he is committed to following in his father’s footsteps in boosting the agricultural sector.

Marcos made the pronouncement after recognizing the Magat Dam’s contribution to providing water to farmers in Isabela and the Cagayan Valley during the province’s inauguration of the Cabaruan Solar-Powered Pump Irrigation Project.

READ: Marcos eyeing solar-powered irrigation for farmers amid El Niño

The Magat Dam opened in 1982 during the administration of then President and dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

“Hindi nagkamali ang aking ama, si Pangulong Marcos Sr. na ipinatayo ang Magat Dam na magsisilbing susi sa pag-uunlad ng agrikultura dito sa Isabela at buong Cagayan Valley,” said Marcos in a speech.

(My father, President Marcos Sr., did not make a mistake in building the Magat Dam, which will serve as a key to developing agriculture here in Isabela and the entire Cagayan Valley.)

“… Ikinangangaral ko na sundan ang yapak ng aking ama at dagdagan ang lahat ng kaniyang ginagawa para sa ating mga magsasaka at kanilang mga pamilya,” said Marcos.

(I am proud to follow in my father’s footsteps and increase all he did for our farmers and their families.)

According to Marcos, he is currently in talks with NIA administrator Eduardo Guillen about rehabilitating the dam and possibly installing solar panels as part of the administration’s efforts to modernize its facilities.

READ: Marcos wants to build more high, multipurpose dams – NIA

More solar-powered pumps are in the works

Apart from the newly-inaugurated Cabaruan Solar-Powered Pump Irrigation Project, which is set to provide water to 350 hectares of paddy fields and benefit 240 farmers, Marcos also announced that the NIA approved the establishment of 15 more solar-powered pump irrigation projects and two small irrigation projects in Cagayan Valley.

“Tinatayang aabot sa naman sa mahigit 250 hectares ang matutubigan nito na mapapakinabangan ng mahigit na 860 farmers,” said Marcos.

(Irrigating more than 250 hectares is estimated to benefit more than 860 farmers.)

He added that these newly announced projects are in addition to the 50 solar-powered pump irrigation projects currently being finished by NIA and over 100 more to be constructed.

“Sa kabuuan, 82 solar-powered pump irrigation projects na ang natapos at napagana sa bansa, mula noong 2023 at itinitayak ko sa inyong lahat na dadagdagan pa natin ito sa susunod na buwan at susunod na taon,” he said.

(In total, 82 solar-powered pump irrigation projects have been completed and operational in the country since 2023, and I assure you all that we will increase this next month and next year.)

He then called on the NIA to continue studying its irrigation assets in the country to determine if more areas and sectors can benefit from solar power generation.

The Cabaruan Solar-Powered Pump Irrigation Project consists of 1,056 solar panels with an estimated wattage output of more than 739,000 watts.

The project can produce an output discharge capacity of 12,800 gallons per minute, projected to supply irrigation to 350 hectares of agricultural land.

Marcos said that with the project, Isabela may soon once again become the country’s top rice-producing province.