He said this as inaugurated a rehabilitated irrigation system in Zamboanga del Sur.
On Thursday, February 12, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. noted the PHP63 billion budget allocated to the projects of National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) in 2026.
That funding, he said, will expand agricultural infrastructure and provide modern equipment for the country’s farmers in the country.
“Ibig sabihin ay mas maraming imprastraktura at modernong makinarya para sa ating mga masisipag na magsasaka na inaasahan hindi lamang ng Zamboanga Peninsula kung hindi ng buong Pilipinas para sa ating tinatawag na food supply,” said the Chief Executive.
Marcos also mentioned that almost PHP300 billion was allocated for the various programs and projects of the agriculture sector this year.
From the budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA), more than PHP33 billion was allotted for the construction and rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads for 2026, while nearly PHP731 million was allotted to Small Scale Irrigation Projects.
The President also said the government has prioritized provinces that produce key crops—such as rice, corn, and other high-value crops—as well as areas with high concentration of farmers registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).
“Higit sa lahat, tinututukan natin ang mga rehiyon kung saan marami sa mga magsasaka ang higit na nangangailangan,” and added that the DA and NIA are working towards food security, protecting farmers’ livelihoods, and boosting crop sales and income.
“Sulitin ninyo ang pagkakataong ito upang mapagaan ang inyong trabaho,” Marcos added. “Gamitin ninyo ang mga bagong makinarya, teknolohiya, at kaalaman upang mapataas ang inyong kita at mabigyan ng mas magandang kinabukasan ang inyong sarili at ang inyong pamilya.”
In line with this, he led the inauguration of the rehabilitated Mahayag Dam in Zamboanga del Sur and the turnover of solar-powered pump irrigation projects (SPIPs) across the Zamboanga Peninsula.
Now providing efficient water diversion, the dam is seen to improve irrigation reliability and agricultural productivity in the region, on top of enhancing flood control and safety for homes and livelihoods in the province.
More than 3,100 farmers will benefit from the dam, which was reconstructed after it sustained severe damage a few years ago due to flooding. Now, it regulates the flow of water in the Salug River and supplies irrigation to the nearby rice fields.
“Ibig sabihin, magiging tuloy-tuloy na ang suplay ng tubig. Hindi lamang mapararami ang inyong mga ani—mapapanatag din kayo na matutugunan ninyo ang araw-araw ninyong pangangailangan,” the President also said.
The distribution and filtration of water will be managed by the irrigators associations, while NIA will do its part by helping in the maintenance of the specialized solar panels and pump systems.
In addition to that, Marcos also led the turnover of 20 solar-powered pump irrigation projects to 635 farmers in the region, which means they will no longer need to spend money on diesel and electricity, underscored the President.