LUPAO, Nueva Ecija – President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. underscored the role of farmers and fisherfolks in the attainment of “Bagong Pilipinas” as he led the inauguration of a multi-million irrigation project here on Dec. 13.
“Sa ating mga magsasaka at mga mangingisda, ang inyo pong tulong sa pagpapaunlad ng agrikultura at ekonomiya ng bansa ay kailangan upang makamit natin ang Bagong Pilipinas na ating pinapangarap,” Marcos said during the inauguration of the Balbalungao Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (BSRIP) in Barangay San Isidro this municipality.
The BSRIP is designed to supply irrigation to some 840 hectares of new areas, benefitting 562 farming families in Barangays Balbalungao, San Isidro, Sto. Niño, and Mapampang, all of this town.
Implemented by the National Irrigation Administration, the construction of the P893-million earth-fill dam hurdled the challenges of restrictions with the country put on national health emergency due to Covid-19 in 2020.
“Umaasa akong patuloy kayong magiging kaagapay ng gobyerno sa pagbibigay ng mas masigla, maunlad at masaganang kinabukasan para sa bawat Filipino,” enthused Marcos Jr. after explaining government actions in cushioning the effect of the El Niño phenomenon.
He noted that the dam will generate diversified income opportunities through increased crop yields, fish culture, tourism and watershed management for environmental protection.
The BSRIP, the president said, will also be utilized in hydropower generation and serve as a flood control mitigation infrastructure for the communities along a river in the coming years.
Marcos Jr. likewise urged all government agencies as well as local governments units and the private sector to coordinate efforts towards securing the sustainable water resources “and the ecosystem that surround the reservoir.”
He further called on the NIA and the Department of Agriculture “to make sure that there is timely completion of the other facilities of the projects such as the hydropower, its watershed components so the communities will be able to fully enjoy the benefits of the project.”
