President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. yesterday inaugurated the newly rehabilitated Mahayag Dam, highlighting the government’s commitment to disaster recovery, agricultural development, and improved irrigation for farmers.
In his keynote address, President Marcos Jr. pledged that the administration would keep improving farmers’ lives, citing a Php 63 billion fund allocated to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) this year.
“You can count on this administration to continue providing our farmers with faster access to such diverse technologies, various training, and support to improve and make their lives more comfortable,” he said.
He mentioned nearly Php300 billion was allocated for various agricultural programs and projects this year, with the Department of Agriculture (DA) earmarking Php33 billion for constructing and rehabilitating farm- to- market roads by 2026, including Php370 million allocated to Zamboanga del Sur.
“This means more infrastructure and modern machinery for our hardworking farmers, which is expected not only by the Zamboanga Peninsula but by the entire Philippines for our so-called food supply,” the President added.
The chief executive also underlined that support is being directed to regions where farmers need it most.
He stressed that provinces producing rice, corn, and high- value crops, along with areas with many farmers registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), are prioritized.
The event also showcased other irrigation projects, including 20 Solar- Powered Pump Irrigation Projects (SPIP) as part of NIA’ s Groundwater Pump Irrigation Program.
Built in 1967, the Mahayag Dam is a key component of the Salug River Irrigation System (Salug RIS), the largest national irrigation system (NIS) in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
It initially supplied irrigation to over 8,102.58 hectares of farmland, with 5,044.28. hectares served by the Mahayag Dam.
Due to severe flooding in late 2022 and early 2023, the dam sustained heavy damage, leading to a partial collapse.
The newly renovated Mahayag Dam will serve 3,174 farmers from Mahayag, Molave, Ramon Magsaysay, and Sominot, aiming to ensure a reliable water supply that boosts food production, increases farm incomes, and supports national food security.
