Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday inaugurated the Ibato-Iraan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) in Aborlan, Palawan, describing it as a major investment in food security that will provide farmers with a stable year-round water supply and boost agricultural production. The Ibato-Iraan SRIP is Palawan's largest irrigation facility and the island-province's first reservoir-type irrigation project.

According to Philippines News Agency, speaking during the inauguration and turnover ceremony at Brgy. Sagpangan, Marcos said the project would help shield farmers from the effects of erratic weather by ensuring a reliable source of irrigation all year round. He emphasized that this project would provide an adequate and reliable water supply throughout the year.

The President expressed optimism that the irrigation system would lead to increased crop yields and improved farmer incomes. He highlighted expectations for more sacks of rice, higher vegetable harvests, and greater income for the farmers.

Marcos further stated that the government continues to modernize the agriculture sector by investing in technologies that enhance productivity and climate resilience. He cited examples such as the use of artificial intelligence, satellite-assisted monitoring systems, and solar-powered irrigation pumps to help farmers maximize production while managing water resources more efficiently.

The PHP886.12-million project will irrigate 1,072 hectares of farmland across Barangays Sagpangan, Iraan, and Isaub in Aborlan. It is expected to benefit 425 farmer-members of the Ibato-Iraan Farmers Irrigators Association, Inc. The project draws water from the Ibato-Iraan River and features a 31-meter-high zoned earthfill dam, canal structures, concrete-lined irrigation canals, access roads, and a 350-meter-long ungated ogee spillway. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 3.013 million cubic meters of water.