The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has officially broken ground for a P20-million solar-powered irrigation system in Barangay Maihao, Cawayan, Masbate. Their goal is to provide a sustainable water source for farmers who used to be reliant on rainfall.

The project, which was reported in an article by the Philippine Information Agency, formally launched on June 23, 2025. This marks the beginning of a grander initiative to modernize irrigation through renewable energy in the province. The Maihao Solar Pump Irrigation Project is designed to support at least 30 farmers and irrigate approximately 20 hectares of farmland, with the project’s completion targeted for April 2026.

Once finished, the system will use solar energy to power submersible pumps that draw water for distribution through a network of canals. The goal is to enable year-round planting, reduce dependence on traditional fuel sources, and support the region’s food security efforts.

“By utilizing solar energy, we not only reduce irrigation costs but also address the challenges of climate change,” said NIA Administrator Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen in a statement. “This type of system is not only environmentally friendly; it is also cost-efficient, reliable, and sustainable.”

Masbate Governor Antonio Kho and Cawayan Mayor Edgar Condor joined NIA officials at the groundbreaking ceremony, showing support for the agency’s strategy toward renewable-powered irrigation solutions. Local officials emphasized the impact these initiatives can have on improving rural livelihoods.

The Maihao initiative is part of a larger P70-million investment by NIA in Masbate for solar irrigation projects. Other solar-powered systems have already been completed in the municipalities of Dimasalang, Balud, Mandaon, and San Jacinto.

According to NIA, these projects aim to help farmers shift from single-season, rain-dependent farming to multi-season cultivation, thereby increasing agricultural output and improving household incomes.

The project also aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for rural development, food security, and infrastructure that supports agricultural modernization.

“Every drop of water is a drop of hope,” said House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez in a statement read during the event, highlighting the importance of sustainable irrigation for Filipino farmers.

The Maihao solar irrigation system will be implemented in two phases, with the current P20-million budget covering the first. The project is expected to eventually benefit more than 100 farmers as it expands.

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Photo Credit: Philippine Information Agency website