Solar irrigation projects to backstop P20/kilo rice program – Romualdez
File photo shows a solar-powered pump irrigation project in Isabela. (INQUIRER / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)
MANILA, Philippines – House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez believes the Marcos administration’s is sustainable, considering the expected increase in palay harvest arising from improved government support for the agriculture sector.
Romualdez, after inaugurating the Castañas Centro Communal Irrigation System in Barangay Castañas, Sariaya, Quezon, was also asked how solar-powered pump irrigation projects (SPIPs) would affect President Marcos’ P20-per-kilo rice program.
“Ay malaking bagay itong proyekto na solar irrigation sa munisipyo ng Sariaya. So yung nagyayari ngayon sa Visayas ay talagang magiging sustainable dito, hindi lang sa Sariaya kundi sa buong Luzon,” he said.
(This solar irrigation project in the municipality of Sariaya is a big deal. So what is happening now in the Visayas will really be sustainable here, not just in Sariaya but in the entire Luzon.)
The Sariaya solar irrigation project covers 50 hectares and benefits 33 farmer-families, providing a sustainable water supply while reducing their dependence on expensive diesel pumps.
“Kaya napakaganda itong programa ng National Irrigation Administration (NIA) na itong solar irrigation. Kasi menos na ang gastos, libre ang patubig, solar—wala nang gastos sa krudo, at syempre lalago ang ani dito sa kada ektarya,” he said.
(That’s why this NIA program, this solar irrigation, is so great. Because it costs less, the irrigation is free, solar—there’s no more expense for fuel, and of course the yield per hectare will increase.)
He then expressed hope that rice at P20 per kilo would soon be available in Quezon and other parts of the country as NIA continuously builds solar-powered irrigation systems nationwide.
