President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday led the inauguration of the PHP833.37-million Mabini-Cayacay Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP), a facility expected to provide reliable year-round water supply to 530 hectares of agricultural land in Bohol.

The project, implemented by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), will directly benefit 717 farmers in the municipalities of Mabini and Alicia.

Speaking during the inauguration in Barangay Abaca, Marcos said the project forms part of the administration’s efforts to shield farmers from the effects of climate change and unpredictable weather patterns.

“Isa ito sa ating mga mahahalagang hakbang upang tulungan ang mga magsasakang matagal nang umaasa lamang sa ulan upang mapalago ang kanilang mga pananim (This is one of our important steps to help farmers who have long relied solely on rainfall to grow their crops),” Marcos said.

The irrigation facility will serve farmers in the barangays of Abaca, San Roque, Aguipo and Cabidian in Mabini, as well as Barangay Cayacay in Alicia.

Marcos said the project fulfills a commitment he made during a previous visit to Bohol, noting that construction was completed in November last year.

“Ang aking muling pagbisita ngayon ay patunay sa ating pangakong natupad sapagkat natapos na natin itong Mabini-Cayacay SRIP noong nakaraang Nobyembre (My return visit today is proof that we have fulfilled our promise because we completed the Mabini-Cayacay SRIP last November),” he said.

According to the President, the project is expected to increase agricultural productivity by ensuring adequate water supply for rice and high-value crops.

He said farmers may now be able to increase planting frequency from two cropping cycles annually to as many as three.

“Dahil sa sapat na suplay ng tubig, inaasahan nating tataas ang ani, lalo na ng palay at mga high-value vegetable crop. (Because of sufficient water supply, we expect harvests to increase, particularly for rice and high-value vegetable crops),” Marcos said.

The President also cited other ongoing irrigation projects in Bohol, including the Bonot-Bonot Irrigation Project in Buenavista and the Hibale Irrigation Project in Danao, as part of broader efforts to strengthen agricultural productivity and food security in the province. (PNA)