President Marcos affirmed the government’s commitment to develop further infrastructure projects in Mindanao under the ‘Build, Better, More’ program, during the inauguration of the largest Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project II (MMIP II) in Pikit, Cotabato, on Monday.
The MMIP II, situated in Villarica, Midsayap, is poised to provide water to over 10,000 hectares of farmland spanning Pikit, Aleosan in Cotabato, and Pagalungan and Datu Montawal in Maguindanao—twice the size of Manila.
President Marcos envisioned that more than 4,000 farmers, including former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants, would reap the benefits of abundant harvests amid the El Niño phenomenon.
“At this juncture, allow me to make a commitment. It’s not just irrigation that will flow into your lands. There are many more agricultural projects to come,” President Marcos asserted during his address at the inauguration ceremony in Brgy. Bago Inged.
He further assured residents, particularly those in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), that the ‘Build Better More’ program transcends urban-centric development, extending its reach to rural and nationwide initiatives.
Additionally, President Marcos underscored the MMIP II’s role in bolstering Mindanao’s agricultural sector, emphasizing its significance beyond supplying water to farmlands.
“The MMIP II canal is not merely a waterway or a source of life; it is a wellspring of hope for our nation. Without water, there are no farms. Without farms, there are no food. No food, no life. Therefore, water is life,” President Marcos articulated.
He elucidated on the inseparable link between water security and food security, asserting that the irrigation project serves as a conduit not only for crop cultivation, but also for nurturing peace and democracy in the region.
Further, President Marcos envisioned the MMIP II as a catalyst for transforming Mindanao into a fertile ground for agricultural abundance, fostering peace, and ensuring progress for future generations.
Before concluding his address, President Marcos thanked the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), local government units (LGUs), and uniformed personnel for their unwavering support in realizing the MMIP II.