Marcos tasks NIA to identify, study more irrigation assets in PH

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday tasked the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to identify and study more of the country's irrigation assets to help ease the burden of local farmers.

Marcos graced the inauguration of the Cabaruan Solar-Powered Pump Irrigation Project at the Cabaruan SPIP Site in Barangay Cabaruan in Quirino, Isabela.

''Inaanyayahan ko rin kayong pag-aralan kung alin pa sa mga irrigation asset natin sa bansa ang maaari nating lagyan ng power generation kagaya rito o iba pang mga pasilidad upang lubos nating mapakinabangan ang mga ito at mabawasan ang gastos na pasanin ng ating mga magsasaka sa pagpapatakbo nito,'' Marcos said in his speech.

(I encourage you to study our other irrigation assets so that we can establish power generations like this, as well as other facilities so that we can maximize them and help in easing the financial burden of farmers.)

Through the initiative of the National Irrigation Authority - Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MARIIS), the SPIP aims to maximize the utilization of water resources while providing sustainable and cost-efficient irrigation services to farmers in Isabela.

Amounting to a total investment cost of P65.77 million, the project is composed of a pumping station involving 1,056 solar panels with an estimate wattage output of more than 739,000 watts.

The said project is also capable of producing an output discharge capacity of 12,800 gallons per minute, which is projected to supply irrigation to 350 hectares of agricultural land.

According to the President, the said project is seen to provide water supply to more than 350 hectares of farmland, which may help over 200 local farmers in the province.

''Ang proyektong ito ay maaaring makapagbigay ng tubig sa mahigit 350 ektarya ng sakahan na tutulong sa halos 240 magsasaka. Ito na rin ang pinakamalaking solar-powered pump irrigation project sa buong bansa na binubuo ng mahigit 1,000 solar panel,'' Marcos said.

(This project can give water to more than 350 hectares of farmlands that can help over 240 farmers. This is so far the largest solar-powered pump irrigation project in the country, which has more than 1,000 solar panel.)

Marcos, who previously served as Agriculture chief, further acknowledged Isabela's contribution when it comes to the corn and rice production of the country.

''Ang Isabela ang pinakamalaking ambag sa produksyon ng mais at pumapangalawa naman sa produksyon ng palay sa buong bansa. Pag naipatuloy natin itong ating mga project, baka bumalik na naman ang Isabela sa number one,'' Marcos said.

(Isabela has the biggest contribution when it comes to corn production and it is also second in rice production. If this project will continue, maybe Isabela could be the top rice producer in the country.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News