President Marcos said that the Cabaruan Solar-Powered Pump Irrigation Project (SPIP) in Isabela is only one of the first undertakings in the government's list of projects that aim to boost the country's agriculture sector.

Marcos said this as he led the inauguration of the Cabaruan SPIP in Quirino, Isabela on Monday morning, June 10.

"Ito po ay isa pa lamang sa ating binubuo mga proyekto para pagandahin ang sektor ng agrikultura (This is just the start of the different projects that we have to improve the agriculture sector)," he said in his speech.

According to the President, the project not only lessens the farmers' expenses, it also addresses water supply issues in farms during extreme heat.

"Lahat ng ito ay para magkaroon na ng patubig kahit na makarating na naman ang El Niño, ay mayroon din tayong maasahan na water supply, hindi lamang para sa irrigation kundi para na sa water supply ng ating mga konsumer (All of these is to ensure that we have enough water even during El Niño, and so that we have a reliable water supply for irrigation and for our consumers)," he said.

Through the initiative of the National Irrigation Authority - Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MARIIS), the SPIP aims to maximize the utilization of water resources while providing sustainable and cost-efficient irrigation services to farmers in the province.

In his speech, President Marcos said the P65.77-million project comprises a pumping station involving 1,056 solar panels with an estimated wattage output of more than 739,000 watts.

He added that the SPIP can produce an output discharge capacity of 12,800 gallons per minute, projected to supply irrigation to 350 hectares of agricultural land.

With its completion in February this year, the SPIP is envisioned to contribute to an increase in agricultural production and ensure food security in the country.

Meanwhile, Marcos said that as the government continues to explore more options to provide water irrigation across the nation’s agricultural regions, the project is seen as a way to address water scarcity and energy costs that will benefit farmers who are mostly reliant on diesel-engine irrigation machinery.