President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday directed the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to fast-track the second phase of the Balog-Balog Multi-Purpose Project (BBMP) in San Jose, Tarlac.
Once completed, the project is expected to irrigate 34,410 hectares of farmland and generate 43.5 megawatts of renewable energy in Central Luzon.
NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen announced the directive while representing the President during an inspection of the project site in Barangay Maamot, San Jose.
Guillen assured local communities, including farmers in Tarlac, of the Marcos administration’s commitment to completing the project, which is expected to benefit 21,776 farmers.
“The mindset of the President is not the color of politics, but what is most important is the benefits for the interest of the people,” Guillen said.
He added that the administration remains focused on nation-building and delivering projects that directly improve the lives of farmers and rural communities.
The Balog-Balog project began with a feasibility study conducted from 1978 to 1980. It was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority in 1988.
Phase I, implemented from 1999 to 2012, restored and improved irrigation services covering 12,475 hectares and benefited 7,340 farmers in Tarlac.
Phase II seeks to expand irrigation coverage by another 21,935 hectares, bringing the project’s total service area to 34,410 hectares.
The project is also expected to increase the number of beneficiaries to 21,776 farmers across Central Luzon.