President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. led the inauguration of the Antong Dam in Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat and the turnover of several projects in South Cotabato on Thursday, June 25, 2026.

The Antong Dam project, worth around P1 billion, was reopened after more than three years of rehabilitation following the damage caused by Typhoon Paeng in 2022.

Marcos was accompanied by Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Leo Magno, National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Eduardo Guillen, and other local officials.

The project is expected to provide reliable water supply to more than 1,500 hectares of farmland, benefiting more than 300 farmers directly.

The President said he has ordered the construction of more irrigation systems across the country, especially amid the threat of El Niño.

“Lahat sa buong Pilipinas nagtatayo po tayo ng ganito upang ang mga magsasaka ay mas maganda ang magiging ani at yung ibang lugar na dalawang beses lang nagtatanim sa isang taon ay nakaka-tatlong planting na kaya napakalaking bagay yon hindi lamang para sa hanapbuhay ng ating mga magsasaka pati rin sa food supply ng ating mga kababayan,” Marcos said.

The President added that dams and irrigation systems must be made faster, more extensive, and more resilient to strengthen agriculture and ensure sufficient food supply for Filipinos.

“Kailangan mas mabilis, mas malawak, at mas matibay pa ang pagtayo ng mga dam at irigasyon upang mapalakas ang agrikultura at makamit ang sapat na suplay ng pagkain sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.

NIA said that nine major dam and irrigation projects are ongoing in Mindanao.

“Mula Region 9 hanggang Caraga, may kabuuang service area na 14,134 hectares at inaasahang pakikinabangan ng 8,792 farmer-beneficiaries,” NIA Administrator, Eduardo Guillen, said.

Meanwhile, the President also visited Koronadal City, South Cotabato, where he led the ceremonial turnover of socio-civic projects funds amounting to P40 million for South Cotabato province and P96 million for Cotabato province.

The turnover was part of the national initiative “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang,” which aims to deliver direct assistance from national funds to local government units.

Barangays and communities in both provinces are expected to benefit from the assistance.

Lagdameo also supervised smooth coordination through the strengthened Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) to ensure the fast, direct, and inclusive distribution of funds for priority projects in local communities.