Barangay New Janiuay, M’lang, Cotabato
February 3, 2017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the ceremonial switch-on of the M’lang Solar Powered Irrigation System (MSPIS) in Barangay New Janiuay, M’lang, Cotabato.

The MSPIS is the first of its kind in Mindanao and is a prototype of the Department of Agriculture (DA). The project was initiated to explore the potentials of a solar powered irrigation system, and to bring into fruition the President’s directive to ensure the availability and affordability of food for every Filipino.

Compared to other solar powered irrigation systems, MSPIS does not require a battery for power storage in order to operate the 10-HP water pump even under cloudy skies. With the system’s 56 solar panels, it could pump up to 1,000 gallons of water on intensely hot days and 400 gallons of water under cloudy skies, irrigating up to 150 hectares. The project is set for distribution by 2018.

During the event, President Duterte was given a briefing by DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol regarding the solar panel and the two fish tanks (aquaponics technology) installed in the area.

The President also witnessed the turnover of checks for the recipients of the Agriculture Credit Policy Council (ACPC) and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC). Two units of combined corn planter/harvester were also turned over during the program.

In his message, President Duterte expressed the relevance of innovations in the country, saying, “…you must come up with something other than the irrigation provided here, to, for, by the government, kailangan ninyo nang maghanap ng ibang technology. The technology is advancing every day before it, not invention, innovation, and it’s done everywhere.”

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