President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. arrived in Barangay San Isidro, Lupao, Nueva Ecija on board a helicopter to open the Balbalungao Small Reservoir Irrigation Project formally on December 13, 2023. 

Before the official inauguration, he conducted an aerial inspection of the Balbalungao Small Reservoir Irrigation Project.

The irrigation project, initiated in 2020 with a budget exceeding P1.2 billion, aims to irrigate more than 900 hectares of farmland across the barangays of San Isidro, Balbalungao, Salvacion, and Mapangpang.

"Mahirap ang kalagayan dito kaya tignan kapag nagsasaka sila mas marami pa ang gastusin kesa sa ani. Hindi sagana dahil kapos sa tubig," Robert Salting, a farmer, said.

According to the President, the project is a vital part of bolstering rice production in the province, known as the country's rice granary. The completion of certain facilities within the irrigation project is also being expedited.

The administration's broader goal is to increase the country's irrigated areas by 275,000 hectares to ensure food security and reduce poverty.

Marcos emphasized, "Para mayroon tayong food supply na maganda at patuloy ang pag-increase ng production natin ng agricultural products."

Addressing the looming impact of the El Niño phenomenon, the President directed government agencies to complete mitigation projects within four months to prevent a water crisis. He also highlighted the need to strengthen hospitals expected to be affected by El Niño.

"We have to keep in mind the health care system has to be ready. It's ready so long as they have power supply and sufficient water supply. That is exactly the problem that we are facing," Marcos said. 

He announced further the formation of a task force to address the effects of El Niño across the country.