President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., together with Province of Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza, led the inauguration of the P5.133 billion Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project (MMIP) Stage II in Barangay Bagoinged, Pikit, Cotabato Province on Monday.
The MMIP Stage II will provide water to more than 9,528 hectares of agricultural land that will benefit four municipalities namely Pagalungan, Aleosan, Pikit, and Datu Montawal.
Marcos said with this project the farmers’ harvest will be abundant and their lives will be better.
“Ang MMIP ay puwede ring tawagin mas malaking irrigation project at hindi lang mas malaki, mas maganda pa,” Marcos said in his message.
National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Engineer Eduardo Guillen told media that the project is expected to help the farmers increase their productivity.
“This is what they need as the number one problem in agriculture is low productivity,” he said
Guillen added that the project will also help improve peace and order and security situation in the area.
Meanwhile, Gov. Mendoza said with this irrigation facility, the production of rice in Cotabato will be improved and the lives of the farmers will improved as well as bring unity, understanding, and order in the community.
“Nagpasalamat ako kay Presidente Bongbong Marcos na nakarating siya at na witness niya itong irrigation project,” she said.
Special Assistant to the President for Eastern Mindanao Secretary Leo Magno said that among ways to improve production and the farms is the irrigation system.
“Kailangan maganda ang irigasyon para mas madali ang production ng ating mga farmers ng kanilang mga produkto,” he said.
The inauguration was also witnessed by the diiferent local irrigators’ associations (IAs) who are expecting additional income through the irrigation project.
According to Balebet Farmers IA Inc. president Rhods Payot, the project will assist the group’s more than 200 corn and rice farmers in increasing their output.
