Marcos opens Leyte irrigation project

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday inaugurated a major irrigation facility in Leyte aimed at boosting farm productivity and securing stable food supply in the province.

The Hibulangan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP), located in Leyte, is a PHP1.12-billion infrastructure initiative that will provide year-round water access to around 2,750 hectares of farmland, benefiting 1,821 farmers, according to the Presidential Communications Office.

“Sa pangunguna ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., pinalalakas ng pamahalaan ang modernisasyon ng agrikultura sa pamamagitan ng mga proyektong irigasyon, kagaya ng Hibulangan SRIP, na nagtitiyak ng mas matatag na produksyon at seguridad sa pagkain para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” the PCO said.

Completed on June 5, 2025, the facility features a 25-meter-high zoned earthfill dam stretching 247.5 meters, with a reservoir capacity of 9.01 million cubic meters. It is supported by an extensive distribution system, including 25 kilometers of main canals, 15.89 kilometers of lateral canals, five lateral systems, and 498 irrigation structures.

The project serves farming communities in the municipalities of Villaba, Matag-ob, and Kananga, spanning the province’s 3rd and 4th districts.

With the new system in place, farmers are expected to shift away from dependence on rainfall toward a more reliable irrigation supply, enabling higher yields and more stable incomes.

“Hindi na kailangang umasa sa ulan lamang ang mahigit 1,800 magsasaka sa Leyte upang magkaroon ng sapat na patubig,” the PCO said.

The project is also seen as a key measure to help farmers adapt to climate variability and rising food demand, aligning with the administration’s broader push to modernize agriculture, strengthen rural livelihoods, and enhance national food security.