Marcos: Mabini-Cayacay irrigation project to aid over 700 farmers in Bohol

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday said the Mabini-Cayacay Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) in Bohol would directly benefit over 700 farmers in the province, providing a reliable source of water for their crops and boosting local food supply.

During his visit to Mabini, Bohol for the inauguration of the SRIP, Marcos said the irrigation facility would help farmers increase productivity by reducing their dependence on rainfall to cultivate their crops.

“Sa pamamagitan ng proyektong ito, masusuportahan ang irigasyon sa 530 ektarya na sakahan sa limang barangay sa Mabini at Alicia dito sa Bohol,” he said.

(Through this project, irrigation will be supported in 530 hectares of farms in five barangays in Mabini and Alicia in Bohol.)

“Dahil sa sapat na suplay ng tubig, inaasahan nating tataas ang ani, lalo na ng palay at mga high-value vegetable crop. Dagdag pa diyan, mula sa dalawang beses sa isang taon na pagtatanim, puwede nang magtanim ang ating mga magsasaka ng tatlong planting sa isang taon,” he added.

(Because there's an adequate supply of water now, we expect the yield of crops to increase, especially of rice and high-value vegetable crops. From planting twice a year, our farmers can also increase the activity to three plantings a year.)

The SRIP is a P833.37 million irrigation facility of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) expected to provide a year-round water supply to agricultural lands in Barangays Abaca, San Roque, Aguipo, and Cabidian in Mabini; as well as Barangay Cayacay in Alicia.

Marcos said the project was finished in November last year, in time for the expected severe El Niño phenomenon.

“Ayon sa ating datos, malaki ang posibilidad na makakaranas ang bansa ng matinding El Niño na maaaring tumagal hanggang sa susunod pa na taon, 2027,” the President said.

(Based on our data, there is a high possibility that the country will experience a severe El Niño that may last until next year, 2027.)

“Kaya’t sa ilalim ng administrasyon, ating itinaguyod ang mga SRIP, mga small irrigation project na ganito, kabilang nito sa Mabini–Cayacay, upang mapataas ang kita ng ating mga magsasaka at maging mas matatag naman ang laban sa sakuna,” he continued.

(That's why under this administration, we will build SRIPs, small irrigation projects like this one in Mabini-Cayacay, to increase the yields of our farmers and make them more resilient against disasters.)

In response to the threat of El Niño, Marcos said farmers were also advised to plant other high-value commercial crops such as watermelon, ginger, guava, peanuts, and eggplant, instead of just rice that requires more water.

He said the government will also push for innovative climate-friendly farming methods, such as the use of solar pumps and water reuse or recycling methods in drought-hit areas. — RSJ, GMA News