Hundreds of irrigation reservoirs should be built around the country, President Marcos said.
Marcos made the statement when he led the inauguration of the Sulvec Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (Sulvec SRIP) in Ilocos Norte on Friday, July 19.
"[W]hile we celebrate the realization of this undertaking, the challenge for us moving forward is to keep delivering [on] our promises and for the aspirations of our people," Marcos said in his speech.
"I was just having a quick discussion with Secretary Kiko (Laurel) and kailangan pa natin daan-daan na ganito (we need hundreds more of this). This is what --- we need hundreds of these around the country," Marcos stated.
Considered as the first impounding dam to be constructed in Ilocos Norte, the P940.46 million irrigation reservoir project is seen to address challenges faced by farmers in terms of water supply to sustain crop productivity and livelihood.
It boasts a capacity of over 1.063 million cubic meters of water which can irrigate more than 700 hectares of agricultural land in 10 barangays within the Municipality of Pasuquin.
Once operational, it will benefit at least 1,045 farmers in the area.
The Sulvec SRIP features various project components such as a 32-meter earthfill dam, construction of irrigation facilities —diversion dam, canals, road structures and access roads; provision of project facilities; organization of irrigators’ association and management transfer support services; formulation of Integrated Watershed Management Plan and stock of freshwater fishes for aquaculture.
Aside from serving its purpose to elevate the state of agriculture in the province, Marcos said it would also be used to house facilities for recreation and tourism.
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