Inauguration of the Tugbong Solar Pump Irrigation Project 10/23/2026

Barangay Tugbong, Kananga, Leyte October 23, 2026 Bracing the farmers against the potential impact of Super El Niño and sustain agricultural productivity, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the inauguration of the Tugbong Solar Pump Irrigation Project (SPIP) in Barangay Tugbong, Kananga, Leyte on October 23, 2026. The Tugbong SPIP features solar-powered pump facilities, a pipe network, a farm-level irrigation system and eight (8) 15-horsepower submersible pumps, intended to irrigate 115 hectares of farmland in two (2) barangays, Tugbong and Sto. Niño. The project will be managed by 66 farmer-members of the TONAY Solar Irrigators Association, Inc. It is expected to reduce farmers’ reliance on fuel-powered irrigation systems, lower production costs and improve farm profitability. In his speech, President Marcos Jr. vowed to fast-track the construction of irrigation projects nationwide to mitigate the potential effects of Super El Niño, which is projected to persist until next year. “Kaya patuloy ang ating mga ginagawa at tinitiyak natin na pinabilis ang mga construction ng ganitong mga irrigation system, pinabilis ang lahat ng construction ng ating paipon ng tubig at ang mga sistema na pag-distribute ng tubig natin,” the President said. “Kung mayroon po kayong pangangailangan at kaya namin na gawan ng paraan para ayusin ang nagiging problema ninyo, sabihan nyo po kami, asahan ninyo, lahat ng aming kayang gawin ay gagawin namin,” he added. The Chief Executive said the country already has 3,000 solar-powered pump irrigation systems nationwide. He also noted that 70 percent of the country’s irrigable land is currently irrigated. Connect with RTVM Website: http://rtvm.gov.ph Facebook: www.facebook.com/presidentialcom and www.facebook.com/rtvmalacanang YouTube: @RTVMalacanang Tiktok: @RTVMalacanang