Marcos orders completion of water projects amid El Niño

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed concerned government agencies to complete water-related projects by April 2024 to prepare for the impact of the El Niño phenomenon.

In his speech during the inauguration of the Balbalungao Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (BSRIP) in Lupao, Nueva Ecija, on Wednesday, Marcos told the Department of Agriculture and its attached agency, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), to accomplish the projects as soon as possible.

«We must be prepared to counter these effects, which may last until the second quarter of 2024. So, we remind once again the DA and the NIA to immediately complete the construction of irrigation facilities, as well as other supporting structures based on the needs of our farmers,» Marcos said.

The President said he has to impose a four-month deadline for the accomplishment of all irrigation and other related projects, pointing out what the government can accomplish before the end of April next year to ensure enough water supply.

«I'm thinking about the projects that we will do. We have four months to finish all that, make it all operational because [of] the deadline I made for our departments. I told them, let's think, what can we finish,» he added.

Marcos also said that vital projects, such as the BSRIP, will help address the effects of El Niño, which may cause a shortage of water and power supply.

The BSRIP, boasting an expansive 840-hectare service area, is designed to foster sustainable development for the benefit of 562 farmers and their families residing in Balbalungao, San Isidro, Salvacion, Sto. Niño and Mapampang villages in Lupao town.

«It shows this administration's steadfast commitment to develop modern infrastructure systems that will enhance our agriculture sector,» Marcos said.

«Once fully operational, this multipurpose dam will provide irrigation for close to 1,000 hectares of agricultural land in Barangay San Isidro, Balbalungao, Salvacion, Mapangpang here in Lupao, benefiting about 560 farmers and their families,» he added.

Marcos also said that the BSRIP would facilitate hydroelectric power generation and serve as a flood control mitigation infrastructure for the communities along the