PBBM: Over P63B allotted for irrigation programs

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. attends the 2026 National Irrigation Administration (NIA) – National Confederation of Irrigators Associations (NCIA) General Assembly at the NIA Headquarters in Diliman, Quezon City on Tuesday (Feb. 24, 2026). The event was held in line with the administration’s commitment to strengthening irrigation development, advancing agricultural productivity and promoting the welfare of Filipino farmers. (Photo: Presidential Communications Office/Facebook)

MANILA – More than PHP63 billion has been allocated for programs aimed at developing the country’s irrigation system and advancing agricultural productivity, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Tuesday.

During the 2026 National Irrigation Administration (NIA) – National Confederation of Irrigators Associations (NCIA) General Assembly, Marcos cited the many challenges faced by the agriculture sector, including climate change, rising production costs, and natural disasters.

Marcos acknowledged that inefficient and damaged irrigation systems could delay the planting schedule and cause instability in farmers’ income.

“Batid ko din na lagpas 30 porsyento pa ng mga irrigable land ang kailangan pa natin malagyan ng patubig (I am also aware that more than 30 percent of our irrigable land still needs access to irrigation),” Marcos said in a speech delivered at the NIA Headquarters in Diliman, Quezon City.

“Kaya’t nananatiling malinaw ang prayoridad ng itong – nitong Administrasyon: Patatagin ang produksyon ng pagkain, itaguyod ang kapakanan ng bawat magsasaka, at palawakin ang irigasyon sa buong bansa (That is why the priority of this Administration remains clear: strengthen food production, promote the welfare of every farmer, and expand irrigation nationwide),” he added.

Marcos said the fund earmarked for nationwide irrigation programs would be used to rehabilitate old facilities, repair damaged canals and irrigation systems, and expand irrigation coverage areas.

He also noted that close monitoring and intensified efforts led to the early completion of the rehabilitation of the Talavera River Super Diversion Canal Siphon in Nueva Ecija.

The rehabilitation project was completed on Feb. 1, a month ahead of the target completion date.

“Naniniwala ako na ang mga polisiya ng gobyerno ay mas magiging epektibo kapag ito’y nakaayon sa mga pangangailangan ng mga taong aming pinaglilingkuran. Kayo po ‘yun —ang ating mga magsasaka at ang ating mga irrigator (I believe that government policies become more effective when they are aligned with the needs of the people we serve—our farmers and irrigators),” Marcos said.

“Alam naman natin lahat na matiyaga, maparaan, at magaling ang mga ating magsasaka. Ngunit kailangan nitong sabayan ng malinaw na plano at tuloy-tuloy na suporta mula naman sa pamahalaan (We all know that our farmers are patient, resourceful, and skilled. But this must be matched with a clear plan and continuous support from the government),” he added.

The General Assembly serves as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and alignment of programs between the government and irrigators’ association, in line with the administration’s strong commitment to food security, irrigation modernization, and farmer empowerment.