Pikit, Cotabato
April 29, 2024
“Ang tagumpay na ito ay nagpapatunay sa determinasyon ng inyong pamahalaan upang tulungan ang ating mga magsasaka at palakasin ang sektor ng agrikultura,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stressed as he reaffirmed the Administration’s Bagong Pilipinas commitment to bolster agricultural development in the country during the inauguration of the Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Stage II (MMIP-II) in Pikit, Cotabato.
In his remarks, the President underscored the PhP5.133 billion MMIP-II as a testament of the government’s collective efforts in building not just a mere agricultural project but a major infrastructure for peace and development.
“Ang tubig ng irigasyon na ito ay hindi lang bubuhay sa ating pananim. Ito rin ang didilig sa kapayapaan na ating binubuhay, sa demokrasyang ating pinapalago. Ang patubig na ito ay hindi lang magpapalaki ng ani ng palay, mais at gulay. Ito rin ay inaasahang magbubunga ng matamis na pag-unlad na matitikman ng lahat,” he conveyed.
“This irrigation would water not only the crops we grow, but the peace that we want to take root in this land. Because peace and freedom must be tended and watered as well,” the President added.
The MMIP-II covers a total agricultural land area of 9,528 hectares in the Provinces of North Cotabato and Maguindanao Del Sur. It is projected to cater to more than 4,000 farmers in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as El Niño continues to impact the agriculture sector. Once operational, the projected harvest from the project is around 110 cavans of rice per hectare, which is equivalent to an average of 1 billion production value annually.
President Marcos Jr. commended the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) for this accomplishment and urged the Agency to remain steadfast in its commitment to ensure the realization of all agricultural projects in the Region.
Likewise, he encouraged the beneficiaries to continuously support and maintain the MMIP-II, noting that there are more upcoming projects for the benefit of the BARMM.
“Marami pa pong serbisyo ang ilalaan upang maitaas ang antas ng pamumuhay ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga nasa BARMM. Ginagarantiya ko sa inyo na ang Build Better More ay hindi lang pangkalunsuran, eto ay pangkanayunan at pangkalahatan,” President Marcos Jr. reassured the audience in his keynote message.
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