President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday said the government is taking actions to address the day-to-day problems of Filipinos as he led the groundbreaking of the Lower Agno River Irrigation System facilities, also called Paitan Dam, a major irrigation project in Sta. Maria, Pangasinan.

The Paitan Dam, a joint project of the Department of Agrarian Reform and the National Irrigation Administration, aims to bring much-needed water to over 12,000 hectares of farmland and help around 12,000 farmers improve their harvests.

President Marcos said the irrigation system facilities would also support the operations of 56 Irrigators’ Associations with 11,942 member farmers in Eastern Pangasinan, namely Sta. Maria, Rosales, Sto. Tomas, Alcala, Bautista, and Bayambang.

The President said the water irrigation system facilities would also serve San Manuel and Moncada in Tarlac, and Cuyapo in Nueva Ecija.

“Noong nakaraang taon, matinding El Niño ang tumama sa ating bansa. Isa ang Pangasinan sa mga probinsyang nakaranas ng epekto ng tag-tuyot. Ang buong Region I ay nakaranas ng kakulangan ng tubig na siyang nakasira sa mga pananim,” President Marcos said in his speech.

The President said the government has provided the necessary assistance and support to farmers in the region affected by El Niño.

“Pero ngayon, nandito tayo para simulan ang solusyon. Mayroon po tayong ginagawa at mayroon pa tayong magagawa,” President Marcos said.

The Lower Agno River Irrigation System project is expected to significantly boost rice production and other high-value crops, resulting in increased income for farmers and other agricultural workers.

Several national and local government officials joined President Marcos during the groundbreaking ceremony at the Paitan Dam.

In the same event, the president also turned over farm machinery and equipment, farm inputs, and solar-powered irrigation projects. | PND