President Marcos Jr. inaugurates solar irrigation project in Cagayan

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inaugurated the Pamplona Solar Pump Irrigation Project (SPIP) in Pamplona, Cagayan, aimed at mitigating the impact of the Super El Niño phenomenon on the agricultural sector.

The facility utilizes 384 solar panels to power three 50 hp submersible pumps, capable of irrigating 602 hectares of farmland across several barangays. This system is expected to benefit 307 farmers by providing a continuous water supply while significantly reducing operating costs. According to President Marcos Jr., monthly expenses for irrigation could drop from as much as P400,000 using traditional methods to between P50,000 and P100,000 using solar power.

The project also serves as an aquaculture hub, allowing farmers to raise fish within enclosed portions of the irrigation canals to supplement their income. Since 2022, the government has constructed 3,000 solar-powered irrigation systems nationwide to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support the transition to renewable energy.