Tuesday, February 11, 2025

President Marcos Inaugurates Biggest Solar-Powered Irrigation Project In Isabela

President Marcos Inaugurates Biggest Solar-Powered Irrigation Project In Isabela

Spotlight

How do you feel about this story?

Express Your Reaction
Like
Love
Haha
Wow
Sad
Angry

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday inaugurated the Cabaruan Solar-Powered Pump Irrigation Project (SPIP) in Quirino town, Isabela, the biggest solar-powered pump irrigation system in the country.

The Cabaruan SPIP, a project of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) under the Mangat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS), was constructed from July 6, 2023 to February 2024 with a total project cost of PHP 65.77 million.

The system is powered by 1,056 solar panels that can produce 739,200 watts of power for its two submersible pumps, with each pump capable of discharging 12,800 gallons per minute,

It is the biggest solar-powered pump irrigation project in the Philippines, and is expected to irrigate 350 hectares of rice field, benefitting almost 237 palay farmers.

In his speech, Marcos said farmers would be able to save and benefit greatly from the project’s strategic design.

“Napakalaki ng naging katipiran natin dito dahil bukod sa libre na ang pagkukuhanan ng kuryente, inilagay mismo sa taas ng irrigation canal ang ating solar panel, kaya hindi nito mababawasan ang lupang tinataniman ng ating mga magsasaka (We will be able to save a lot from this project because aside from the free electricity supply, our solar panels were placed right at the top of the irrigation canal, so it will not reduce the land area being cultivated by our farmers),” Marcos said.

The President said a total of 15 mass solar-powered pump irrigation projects and two small solar-powered irrigation projects have earlier been distributed by NIA in the Cagayan Valley Region.

In total, Marcos said, the government has already finished 82 solar-powered pump irrigation projects across the country since 2023.

“At tinitiyak ko sa inyong lahat na dadagdagan pa natin ito sa mga susunod na buwan at sa mga susunod na taon (And I assure all of you that more will be constructed in the coming months and years),” Marcos emphasized.

 

Magat Dam rehabilitation

Meanwhile, the Chief executive commended NIA for its dedication and commitment to ensuring the completion of key irrigation projects, even as he directed the agency to look for more possible irrigation systems that may be installed with a power-generation facility, like the Magat Dam.

According to the President, NIA is currently studying possible projects that may be done to modernize the four-decade-old Magat Dam.

“Kaya sa araw na ito, ikinararangal ko na sundan ang yapak ng aking ama at dagdagan ang lahat ng kanyang nagawa para sa ating mga magsasaka at kanilang mga pamilya (On this day, I am honored to follow the footsteps of my father and build on the projects that he has done for our farmers and their families),” he said.

The dam was constructed during the leadership of the President’s father, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.

 

More funding

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday said he would propose more funding for solar-powered irrigation pumps in unirrigated farming communities when the House considers the annual national budget.

“That’s the only way we can bring irrigation to these areas,” he said in a statement.

Before joining the President and other officials in the inauguration of the Cabaruan SPIP, Romualdez led the distribution of 17 solar pumps that would help hundreds of farmers irrigate their farms in Isabela, one of the country’s major rice and corn-producing provinces.

He said irrigation is a major component of producing rice, corn and other agricultural products not only in Isabela but in other parts of the country as well.

“We have to help our farmers with irrigation and other farm inputs like fertilizer and seeds so they can increase their produce. They should aim to double it,” he added.

The solar pumps were part of NIA’s project meant to expand the irrigated areas in the country pursuant to President Marcos’ vision to boost agricultural production, particularly of rice. (PNA)

More Stories from Baguio

Latest Stories

Angeles

Pampanga LGU Turns Over PHP1.5 Million Facility To Philippine Coast Guard

Binigay ng LGU ng Pampanga ang PHP1.5 milyong pasilidad sa Philippine Coast Guard sa layuning pagtugon sa mga sakuna at pangangalaga sa kalikasan.

Calamity-Affected LGUs In Aurora Get PHP50 Million Aid From PBBM

PBBM nagbigay ng PHP50 milyon na tulong sa mga LGU sa Aurora para sa mga apektado ng bagyo.

BCDA Conducts Study For Proposed Waste-To-Energy Facility In Tarlac

Sa Tarlac, nag-aaral ang BCDA para sa waste-to-energy facility na naglalayong suportahan ang eco-friendly na inisyatiba.

Ethnobotanical Learning Hub To Boost Agri Development In Tarlac, Pampanga

Ang bagong ethnobotanical learning hub ay naglalayong itaguyod ang mga kaalaman at kasanayan sa agrikultura sa Tarlac sa pamamagitan ng pakikipæði ng BCDA, DA at PSAU.

Bacolod

Puhon: A Concert, A Love Story, And A Life Lesson

The road to success isn’t a race; it’s a journey. All it takes is faith, hope, love, and ‘Puhon’.

Hontiveros Joins Akbayan Partylist In Tondo House-To-House Campaign For 2025 Elections

Join Senator Hontiveros as she embarks on an impactful campaign with Akbayan in Tondo, shaping a better future for 2025.

Akbayan Kicks Off Zamboanga Election Opening Salvo With Vinta Fluvial Parade

The iconic Vinta Fluvial Parade marks the beginning of Akbayan Partylist's campaign in Zamboanga.

Akbayan Partylist Kicks Off Campaign, Vows To Work For Welfare Of Filipinos

The Akbayan Partylist's 90-day campaign begins, focused on the welfare of every Filipino and equality before the law.

BAGUIO

Person Living With HIV Advocates For Protection, Screening

Ang pagtataguyod ng kaligtasan at pagsusuri ay mahalagang hakbang upang wakasan ang stigma sa paligid ng HIV.

Public Urged To Watch Food Intake To Avoid Heart Ailments

Mahalaga ang tamang pagkain para sa kalusugan ng puso. Pahalagahan ang bawat pagkain na iyong tinatanggap.

Baguio’s Garbage Down As Residents Practice Proper Waste Management

Baguio, lumalaban para sa mas malinis na kinabukasan. Maraming salamat sa mga responsable nating residente.

Benguet Invests In Fruit Seedlings For Reforestation, Livelihood

Ang Benguet ay may bagong proyekto para sa mga punlang prutas upang mapabuti ang kalikasan at kabuhayan. Magsimula tayo sa reforestation.

Batangas

Pampanga LGU Turns Over PHP1.5 Million Facility To Philippine Coast Guard

Binigay ng LGU ng Pampanga ang PHP1.5 milyong pasilidad sa Philippine Coast Guard sa layuning pagtugon sa mga sakuna at pangangalaga sa kalikasan.

Calamity-Affected LGUs In Aurora Get PHP50 Million Aid From PBBM

PBBM nagbigay ng PHP50 milyon na tulong sa mga LGU sa Aurora para sa mga apektado ng bagyo.

BCDA Conducts Study For Proposed Waste-To-Energy Facility In Tarlac

Sa Tarlac, nag-aaral ang BCDA para sa waste-to-energy facility na naglalayong suportahan ang eco-friendly na inisyatiba.

Ethnobotanical Learning Hub To Boost Agri Development In Tarlac, Pampanga

Ang bagong ethnobotanical learning hub ay naglalayong itaguyod ang mga kaalaman at kasanayan sa agrikultura sa Tarlac sa pamamagitan ng pakikipæði ng BCDA, DA at PSAU.

Cagayan de Oro

Puhon: A Concert, A Love Story, And A Life Lesson

The road to success isn’t a race; it’s a journey. All it takes is faith, hope, love, and ‘Puhon’.

Hontiveros Joins Akbayan Partylist In Tondo House-To-House Campaign For 2025 Elections

Join Senator Hontiveros as she embarks on an impactful campaign with Akbayan in Tondo, shaping a better future for 2025.

Akbayan Kicks Off Zamboanga Election Opening Salvo With Vinta Fluvial Parade

The iconic Vinta Fluvial Parade marks the beginning of Akbayan Partylist's campaign in Zamboanga.

Akbayan Partylist Kicks Off Campaign, Vows To Work For Welfare Of Filipinos

The Akbayan Partylist's 90-day campaign begins, focused on the welfare of every Filipino and equality before the law.

CEBU

Person Living With HIV Advocates For Protection, Screening

Ang pagtataguyod ng kaligtasan at pagsusuri ay mahalagang hakbang upang wakasan ang stigma sa paligid ng HIV.

Public Urged To Watch Food Intake To Avoid Heart Ailments

Mahalaga ang tamang pagkain para sa kalusugan ng puso. Pahalagahan ang bawat pagkain na iyong tinatanggap.

Baguio’s Garbage Down As Residents Practice Proper Waste Management

Baguio, lumalaban para sa mas malinis na kinabukasan. Maraming salamat sa mga responsable nating residente.

Benguet Invests In Fruit Seedlings For Reforestation, Livelihood

Ang Benguet ay may bagong proyekto para sa mga punlang prutas upang mapabuti ang kalikasan at kabuhayan. Magsimula tayo sa reforestation.

DAVAO

Pampanga LGU Turns Over PHP1.5 Million Facility To Philippine Coast Guard

Binigay ng LGU ng Pampanga ang PHP1.5 milyong pasilidad sa Philippine Coast Guard sa layuning pagtugon sa mga sakuna at pangangalaga sa kalikasan.

Calamity-Affected LGUs In Aurora Get PHP50 Million Aid From PBBM

PBBM nagbigay ng PHP50 milyon na tulong sa mga LGU sa Aurora para sa mga apektado ng bagyo.

BCDA Conducts Study For Proposed Waste-To-Energy Facility In Tarlac

Sa Tarlac, nag-aaral ang BCDA para sa waste-to-energy facility na naglalayong suportahan ang eco-friendly na inisyatiba.

Ethnobotanical Learning Hub To Boost Agri Development In Tarlac, Pampanga

Ang bagong ethnobotanical learning hub ay naglalayong itaguyod ang mga kaalaman at kasanayan sa agrikultura sa Tarlac sa pamamagitan ng pakikipæði ng BCDA, DA at PSAU.

ILOILO

Puhon: A Concert, A Love Story, And A Life Lesson

The road to success isn’t a race; it’s a journey. All it takes is faith, hope, love, and ‘Puhon’.

Hontiveros Joins Akbayan Partylist In Tondo House-To-House Campaign For 2025 Elections

Join Senator Hontiveros as she embarks on an impactful campaign with Akbayan in Tondo, shaping a better future for 2025.

Akbayan Kicks Off Zamboanga Election Opening Salvo With Vinta Fluvial Parade

The iconic Vinta Fluvial Parade marks the beginning of Akbayan Partylist's campaign in Zamboanga.

Akbayan Partylist Kicks Off Campaign, Vows To Work For Welfare Of Filipinos

The Akbayan Partylist's 90-day campaign begins, focused on the welfare of every Filipino and equality before the law.

NAGA

Person Living With HIV Advocates For Protection, Screening

Ang pagtataguyod ng kaligtasan at pagsusuri ay mahalagang hakbang upang wakasan ang stigma sa paligid ng HIV.

Public Urged To Watch Food Intake To Avoid Heart Ailments

Mahalaga ang tamang pagkain para sa kalusugan ng puso. Pahalagahan ang bawat pagkain na iyong tinatanggap.

Baguio’s Garbage Down As Residents Practice Proper Waste Management

Baguio, lumalaban para sa mas malinis na kinabukasan. Maraming salamat sa mga responsable nating residente.

Benguet Invests In Fruit Seedlings For Reforestation, Livelihood

Ang Benguet ay may bagong proyekto para sa mga punlang prutas upang mapabuti ang kalikasan at kabuhayan. Magsimula tayo sa reforestation.