President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday directed the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to ensure that all major canals and irrigation infrastructure across the country are properly maintained to help farmers improve their harvest.

President Marcos emphasized the vital role of irrigation in boosting the nation’s food security and empowering farmers, as his administration has initiated sustained efforts to strengthen agricultural productivity and rural development.

“Bahagi ‘yan ng mandato ng National Irrigation Authority na siguruhin ang major canals at irrigation infrastructure ay laging maayos,” the President said on Sunday in his “BBMVLOG #270: Mga Pagbabago” posted on Youtube that runs for six minutes and 37 seconds.

The directive comes as the President oversaw last week the third tranche of NIA’s re-fleeting program, which involves the distribution of 229 units of new agricultural machinery to field offices nationwide.

“Itong mga makinaryang ito ay sisiguruhin ang irigasyon natin na laging well-maintained. Maganda ang daloy ng tubig,” President Marcos added.

Under the President’s directive to enhance the country’s irrigation systems, NIA launched its re-fleeting program to modernize its logistics and field operations by providing heavy equipment, including backhoes, dump trucks, service vehicles, and canal dredgers, to regional offices.

The President’s directive also aligns with the broader “Bagong Pilipinas” agenda, which seeks to raise agricultural output, reduce post-harvest losses, and ensure a stable, affordable food supply nationwide.

Farmers’ groups and local government units have welcomed the additional support, saying it will help rehabilitate and maintain aging irrigation systems that have long been in need of upgrades. | PND