Over 1,000 Hectares in Palawan Town to Benefit from New Irrigation Project

ABORLAN, PALAWAN, Philippines — President Marcos led the inauguration ceremony and turnover of the Ibato-Iraan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) in Barangay Sagpangan, here on Thursday, July 23, marking the start of a new significant chapter in agricultural development in the town. The Ibato-Iraan SRIP, the first reservoir-type irrigation system in the province, is considered the largest project of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in the province of Palawan, worth P866.2 million with a capability of providing steady and year-round water supply to some 1,072 hectares of agricultural land across three barangays: Iraan, Isaub and Sagpangan here. The project, which was turned over to the Ibato-Iraan Farmer’s Irrigators Association, Inc., is expected to benefit some 425 member-farmers and their families, where Marcos said he sees a steady increase in productivity with improved crop yields and higher incomes. He said for so many years, farmers in the area have relied solely on unpredictable rainfall, making every planting season uncertain. With the completion of the irrigation system, they can now plan their cropping seasons with greater confidence, improve farm productivity, and achieve more stable harvests and higher incomes. The project’s inauguration officially marks the beginning of its operation, providing a reliable water supply that will benefit farming communities and strengthen agricultural productivity for generations to come. “We expect an increase in harvest and better quality of products for a higher income for our farmers,” he said. “More than that, this project also brings peace of mind to farmers with a steady supply of water for a better future for every family who depends on farming,” he added. After the inauguration, Marcos flew back to Puerto Princesa City to also lead the ceremonial distribution of 10-kilogram rice subsidies to 1,000 beneficiary families under the Local Government Support Fund, which he said intends to ensure that vulnerable families will have food on their tables as part of his administration’s commitment to address hunger and improve food security. He said through the LGSF, the national government aims to continuously provide assistance to low-income families as support to programs of local government units in addressing food security.