House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Thursday led the turnover of the Maunlad na Candating–Sapang Paitan solar-powered pump—one of the over 20 solar-powered pump irrigation projects distributed in a single day to farmers in Central Luzon, dubbed as the “rice granary of the Philippines.”
Fresh water flowed as Romualdez switched on the solar-powered pump in Brgy. Candating, Arayat, Pampanga, providing reliable irrigation for 15 hectares of previously rain-dependent farms of members of the Maunlad na Candating–Sapang Paitan Irrigators’ Association.
The Speaker was joined in the event by Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss, National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Eduardo Guillen, Arayat Mayor Maria Lourdes Alejandrino, and Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr.
Additional projects symbolically launched include seven systems in Nueva Ecija, 10 in Zambales, and one each in Bulacan and Bataan. Two irrigation augmentation projects in Tarlac were also inaugurated.
Each system features typhoon-rated photovoltaic panels and AI-driven moisture sensors from Israel’s LR Group, significantly reducing costs and increasing crop yields.
“This is the future of agriculture, assisted by AI to enhance productivity,” Romualdez said. Early adopters, he noted, report yield gains above 25 percent.
For his part, Administrator Guillen commended Congress for sustaining appropriations, noting solar irrigation’s lower cost—₱200,000–₱300,000 per hectare compared to traditional methods.
Gilberto Guina, 75, shared that he previously spent ₱30,000 on diesel each cropping, money now redirected to family needs and farm improvements.
Maunlad na Candating–Sapang Paitan Farmers’ Irrigators Association President Rey Velasco recalled seasons when farmers prayed for rain or hauled water uphill with hoses. The solar-powered irrigation system, he noted, restores both cash flow and dignity.
The Speaker linked these advancements to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for solar irrigation to cover 180,000 hectares nationwide, aimed at boosting annual rice production by 1.2 million metric tons.
“President Marcos, thank you very much for your support to our farmers and belief that Filipinos can keep up with the best technology in the world,” Romualdez said, promising continued budget support from Congress.
” With the help of solar irrigation and smart farming, we can restore the power of production and reach the goal of becoming a rice exporter again,” he added.