Ched Rick Gatchalian

Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrives in Calape, Bohol for the inspection of the Calunasan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project.

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Marcos Jr. visits irrigation project in Bohol, recognizes other use as flood control, tourist spot

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed that his administration would focus on irrigation for agriculture land to increase local production and help farmers.</p><p>He said at the unveiling of the project marker for the Calunasan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project in Calape, Bohol Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 that better irrigation would help the Philippines be less dependent on imports.</p><p>“[K]ailangan ang gawin natin makapag-produce tayo ng bigas na sapat, para hindi na tayo umaasa sa ibang lugar at ito ay naging maliwanag nung nagdaang pandemya,” the President said in his speech.</p><p>(What we need to do is produce enough rice so we will not depend on other countries. That was made clear during the pandemic)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/27/at-midterm-marcos-agriculture-and-health-targets-remain-unmet-2233"><strong>At midterm, Marcos’ agriculture and health targets remain unmet</strong></a></div><p>He said irrigation has been a government priority to address problems in rice supply and prices.</p><p>“Tiniyak namin na binawasan na namin.. halos wala na ‘yung mga smuggler, nahuhuli na lahat. At ‘yung distribution saka ‘yung subsidy na binibigay ng pamahalaan ay tinuloy na natin,” he also noted.</p><p>(We have been making sure to reduce smuggling, almost all of the smugglers have been caught. We have also continued rice distribution and subsidies)</p><p>The President vowed to continue supporting farmers through more irrigation programs, mechanization, use of technology such as solar-powered irrigation among others.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/7/3/palace-urges-farmers-to-report-traders-exploiting-p20-rice-program-1407"><strong>Palace urges farmers to report traders taking advantage of P20 rice program</strong></a></div><p>He said that even if there had been a shortage of water </p><p>“Nung 2024, last year, kahit na tagtuyot ng siyam na buwan, bago nagbagyo, anim na bagyo within 24 days dumaan dito sa Pilipinas, kahit na nangyari ‘yun, record pa rin na pinakamalaking harvest,” he noted.</p><p>(In 2024, even if there was a water shortage for six months and a series of storms, we still posted a record harvest)</p><p>He said he expects an even better rice harvest in 2025.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>IRRIGATION PROJECT COULD BE TOURISM SPOT</strong></div><p>The P813 million project aims to irrigate 300 hectares of agricultural land and increase the production area of the city and the province with 400 farmer beneficiaries.</p><p>The National Irrigation Administration said the official test run was successfully conducted last August 20.</p><p>Implemented in 2013, the project is now 97.94% complete and is expected to be finished on November 23.</p><p>The President also touted the project’s other uses as flood control and its potential as a tourist spot.</p><p>“Maganda nga naman dito, sinasabi ko kay [Bohol] Gov. [Erico] Aumentado eh lagyan natin ng kaunting cover dito, pang picnic ng tao dito, sarap nga namang magkape-kape dito, nakikita ‘yung tubig,” he said.</p><p>(It is nice hear. I told Gov. Aumentado that we should put up some shade here so people can go on picnics. It would be nice to have coffee here, with a view of the water)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/3/21/enough-water-for-irrigation-nia-assures-as-dry-season-looms-1457">Enough water for irrigation, NIA assures as dry season looms</a></div><p>When asked in an ambush interview whether it is a “breath of fresh air to see something good, finished”, Marcos replied, “always, always”.</p><div> </div><div><strong>YAKAP CARAVAN</strong></div><p>Marcos also visited a school in Bohol to witness a caravan where several medical services are being offered to students, teachers and non-teaching personnel.</p><p>Marcos Jr. inspected PhilHealth’s Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) where around 200 parents and students in Mandaug Elementary School received free medical consultations, medicines, and PhilHealth services such as registration, ID printing, and member data updates.</p><p>Education Secretary Sonny Angara and PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Edwin Mercado were also in attendance during the event.</p><p>The program aims to “strengthen primary care through streamlined services at the grassroots level,” according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).</p><p>The office added that the said caravan was jointly conducted by the Calape Rural Health Unit and the Calape Mother and Child Hospital.</p><p>Marcos Jr. held a dialogue with 16 teachers of the school over lunch as well.</p>

<p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed that his administration would focus on irrigating agricultural lands for the country to increase local production and help farmers.</p>

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed that his administration would focus on irrigating agricultural lands for the country to increase local production and help farmers.

Marcos hopeful Bohol irrigation project will contribute to record rice harvest in 2025

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Marcos hopeful Bohol irrigation project will contribute to record rice harvest in 2025

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 05, 2025 02:50 PM PHT

Read More:

Bohol

Irrigation

Farmers

Agriculture

Calunasan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

PhilHealth’s Yaman ng Kalusugan Program

YAKAP

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