Leyte: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday inaugurated the Hibulangan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) in Leyte, a major infrastructure initiative aimed at improving agricultural productivity and strengthening food security in the province. The PHP1.12-billion irrigation project will provide a continuous water supply to about 2,750 hectares of farmland, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.
According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative is expected to benefit 1,821 farmers in the province. 'Sa pangunguna ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., pinalalakas ng pamahalaan ang modernisasyon ng agrikultura sa pamamagitan ng mga proyektong irigasyon, kagaya ng Hibulangan SRIP, na nagtitiyak ng mas matatag na produksyon at seguridad sa pagkain para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino (Under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the government continues to strengthen agricultural modernization through irrigation projects like the Hibulangan SRIP, which aim to ensure more stable production and food security for every Filipino family),' the PCO said.
The irrigation facility, completed on June 5, 2025, features a 25-meter-high zoned earthfill dam with a crest length of 247.5 meters and a reservoir capacity of 9.01 million cubic meters. It also includes an extensive irrigation network composed of 25 kilometers of main canals, 15.89 kilometers of lateral canals, five lateral systems, and 498 irrigation structures designed to ensure efficient and equitable water distribution across farmlands.
The project will serve the municipalities of Villaba, Matag-ob, and Kananga in the 3rd and 4th districts of Leyte. The PCO said the project will help farmers shift from rain-dependent agriculture to a more reliable irrigation system, resulting in more productive harvests and improved incomes. 'Hindi na kailangang umasa sa ulan lamang ang mahigit 1,800 magsasaka sa Leyte upang magkaroon ng sapat na patubig (More than 1,800 farmers in Leyte will no longer have to rely solely on rainfall for irrigation),' it said.
The PCO said the initiative is a key intervention to help farmers adapt to climate variability and rising food demand while ensuring more stable agricultural production. Under the Marcos administration, irrigation development has been identified as a priority strategy to boost farm output, support rural livelihoods, and enhance national food security.
