The government has allocated PHP42 billion for 2025 to further strengthen the country’s irrigation systems, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Tuesday.

Speaking at the post-State of the Nation Address discussions in Pasay City, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the allocation is in line with the priority thrust of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of achieving food security by strengthening the agriculture sector.

“As [President Marcos] mentioned in his SONA, we are strengthening our irrigation system nationwide. We have allocated PHP42 billion for our irrigation system nationwide next year,” Pangandaman said.

The irrigation budget is part of the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP), which will serve as Congress’ basis for the General Appropriations Bill (GAB).

In his third SONA on Monday, Marcos reiterated the government’s commitment to build and rehabilitate more dams to help boost agriculture production and ensure food security.

The government is also focusing on constructing solar-powered irrigation facilities, the President said, citing the newly launched Cabaruan Solar-Powered Pump Irrigation Project in Quirino, Isabela, the largest of its kind in the Philippines.

The Chief Executive also mentioned the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project in Iloilo that could irrigate 32,000 hectares of land.

“Moving forward, irrigation dams will supplement all our other bulk water projects to ensure water security for our people, especially in the underserved areas,” the President said. (PNA)