PH Government Earmarks ₱63B for Irrigation Under Marcos’ ₱300B Agriculture Investment

Government Earmarks ₱63B for Irrigation Under Marcos’ ₱300B Agriculture Investment | President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Tuesday that the national government has allocated nearly ₱300 billion this year to strengthen the entire agriculture sector, including over ₱63 billion dedicated exclusively to irrigation development across the country.

“Upang ipagpatuloy ang mga magagandang nasimulan at maisakatuparan ang mga nakalatag na plano, naglalaan tayo ng higit animnapu’t tatlong bilyong piso para sa mga programang pang-irigasyon,” the President said during the 2026 NIA–NCIA General Assembly and Inspection of the NIA Command Center in Quezon City.

He emphasized that the funding aims to fast‑track the rehabilitation of aging irrigation facilities, repair damaged canals and water systems, and expand irrigation coverage nationwide.
“Inaasahan natin na ang pondong ito ay makakatulong sa rehabilitasyon ng mga lumang pasilidad, pagsasaayos ng mga sirang kanal at irrigation system, at ang pagpapalawak ng mga lugar na maaaring mabigyan ng serbisyo ng irigasyon,” he added.

According to the President, the ₱300‑billion agriculture budget will also support key programs such as seed procurement, farm‑to‑market road construction, expansion of post‑harvest and cold‑storage facilities, fertilizer support, and other initiatives meant to strengthen farmers’ productivity and resilience.

Marcos acknowledged that Filipino farmers continue to confront major challenges such as climate change, increasing production costs, and frequent natural disasters. These issues, he explained, significantly disrupt agricultural operations when irrigation supply becomes insufficient, or infrastructure is damaged—delaying planting schedules, lowering yields, and reducing income. He noted that around 30 percent of the country’s irrigable land remains without irrigation.

Given these realities, the President reaffirmed the administration’s focus on food security and agricultural modernization:
“Kaya’t nananatiling malinaw ang prayoridad nitong Administrasyon: Patatagin ang produksyon ng pagkain, itaguyod ang kapakanan ng bawat magsasaka, at palawakin ang irigasyon sa buong bansa.”

Highlighting recent accomplishments, President Marcos cited the Talavera River Super Diversion Canal Siphon in Nueva Ecija, where rehabilitation work originally scheduled for completion on March 1, 2026 was finished earlier—on February 1—underscoring the government’s capacity to deliver critical infrastructure ahead of schedule.

He also mentioned ongoing developments such as the collaboration between the University of the Philippines and Agrispecialist, Inc. to produce affordable and effective biofertilizers, which are expected to further boost farm yields.

President Marcos reiterated that the government will continue to accelerate agricultural services whenever necessary, ensuring that farmers receive timely assistance and improved access to crucial irrigation systems.

He concluded by expressing optimism that these interventions will significantly increase farm productivity and strengthen the country’s overall food security. | via PIA

The Philippines Herald | Negosentro Media Group