The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it started the construction of a P2.43-billion irrigation project in Dona Remedios Trinidad (DRT), Bulacan to improve the livelihood of farmers in the area and support farming in the region.
The Bayabas Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) is seen to support farmers in Bulacan and neighboring areas as soon as the project comes on stream in the next four years.
“Four years from now, people of Bulacan and Pampanga will benefit from the Bayabas SRIP, especially our rice and crop producers. This will surely increase crops production and income of farmers. It is the intention of the President to improve the lives of farmers,” said DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel during the groundbreaking ceremonies Wednesday.
The SRIP intends to irrigate 150 hectares of new areas and 27,828 hectares in 17 towns in Bulacan and Pampanga which is seen to increase rice and crop production as well as generate electricity from solar and hydropower components.
It also aims to promote aquaculture in the area and mitigate flooding problems in Bulacan and Pampanga.