Photo courtesy of Presidential Communications Office.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the inauguration of the Php 1.21-billion Hibulangan Reservoir Irrigation Project in Barangay Hibulangan, Leyte on Thursday, marking the completion of a major agricultural infrastructure project in the region.
The facility is expected to provide a steady irrigation supply to 1,821 farmers across about 2,750 hectares of farmland in the towns of Villaba, Matag-ob, and Kananga.
Officials said the project is among the largest irrigation systems in the area and aims to improve agricultural output and water access for farming communities.
In his remarks, Marcos recognized farmers as key contributors to food production, saying they continue to work under difficult conditions.
He said irrigation remains a critical component of agriculture, noting that even improved seeds and farm inputs would be insufficient without reliable water supply.
The President also encouraged local officials to explore additional uses for the reservoir, including potential tourism and fishing activities to support local livelihoods.
The irrigation project was initially started during the previous Aquino administration in 2013 and has since been completed and made operational.
Local officials welcomed the project’s completion, saying it is expected to provide long-term benefits to farmers in the province.