President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his third State of the Nation Address on July 22, 2024. | Screenshot from RTVM/LIVE
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., during his third State of the Nation Address (Sona), stated the government aims to strengthen the agriculture sector through substantial allotment in machinery, water resources, and irrigation projects.
In his speech, Marcos said these efforts include providing around 9,300 machinery, irrigating 45,000 hectares of new land, and reviving irrigation to at least 38,000 hectares of land.
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“Matapos ngayong taon ang 1,200 kilometro na mga farm to market roads sa buong bansa, mahigit 9,300 makinarya ang mapapamahagi ngayong taon,” said Marcos.
(After this year’s 1,200 kilometers of farm to market roads across the country, more than 9,300 machinery will be distributed this year.)
“Patuloy tayong nagbubukas at nagkukumpuni ng mga irigasyon sa Pilipinas. Ngayong taon, bibigyan natin ng patubig ang halos 45,000 hectarya ng bagong lupain. Bubuhayin din ang irigasyon sa halos 38,000 hectares ng lupain sa buong bansa,” he added.
(We continue to open and repair irrigation systems in the Philippines. This year, we will irrigate nearly 45,000 hectares of new land. Irrigation will also be revived in nearly 38,000 hectares of land throughout the country.)
According to Marcos, part of these efforts is the recently completed Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project Stage II (MMIP-II) in the municipality of Pikit, Cotabato, which is set to provide water to 10,000 hectares in both Maguindanao and North Cotabato.