President Marcos on Monday, June 10, assured Cagayan Valley that he plans to follow his father’s footsteps in improving the agricultural sector of the region.
President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. leads the inauguration of the Solar Pump Irrigation system at Brgy. Cabaruan, Quirino in Isabela province on Monday, June 10, 2024. (Noel Pabalate/MANILA BULLETIN)
Speaking before farmers, fisherfolk, and their families affected by the El Niño phenomenon in Region II (Cagayan Valley) during the ceremonial distribution of Presidential assistance, the Chief Executive promised to bring more aid to the province in an aim to boost its economy.
He noted that his father’s administration built the Magat Dam to fortify the agricultural industry in Region 2, and was also instrumental in strengthening various industries in the region.
“Walang pong duda na lubos na mahal ng aking ama ang mga taga-Isabela at kayo ang kung minsan kayo nauuna pa sa Ilocos Norte (There is no doubt that my father truly loves those from Isabela. Sometimes, you’re prioritized than Ilocos Norte),” Marcos told them.
“Namana ko rin po naman 'yang pagmamahal na ‘yan, kaya naman sinikap ko na talagang sumadya [rito at] iparamdam sa inyo [nang] personal ang aking pagkalinga at suporta. Asahan ninyo ipagpapatuloy ko ang kanyang nasimulang pangako, tutuparin ko lalo na sa pagpapalago ng ating agrikultura at ekonomiya (I inherited that love, so that’s why I try my best to go here to make you feel my personal support. You can be rest assured that I will continue what he has started and I will grow our agriculture and economy),” Marcos added.
During the ceremonial distribution at the Ilagan City Community Center in Ilagan City, the President gave P10,000 each to 10 beneficiaries from the provinces of Isabela, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino; P50 million each to the provincial governments of Isabela, Cagayan, and Nueva Vizcaya; P10 million to the provincial government of Batanes; and P30.92 million to the provincial government of Quirino.
The assistance given was made to fulfill the administration’s commitment to provide immediate response to communities hit by the El Niño phenomenon.
Marcos also turned over farm and fishing machineries, equipment, and toolkits to beneficiaries of various government agencies.
The President also led the inauguration of the P65.7-million Cabaruan solar-powered irrigation project (SPIP) at Brgy. Cabaruan, Quirino, Isabela.
The project is the biggest solar-powered pump irrigation project in the country, and could irrigate 350 hectares of rice field, benefitting almost 237 palay farmers.
A project of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) under the Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS), the Cabaruan SPIP has 1,056 solar panels, making it the biggest SPIP in terms of number of solar panels.