The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) officially broke ground on a P20-million solar-powered irrigation system in Barangay Maihao, Cawayan, Masbate marking a pivotal step towards renewable-driven agricultural modernization in the province.
Dubbed the Maihao Solar Pump Irrigation Project, the initiative aims to provide a reliable and sustainable water source to at least 30 farmers across 20 hectares of farmland, significantly reducing their dependence on rainfall. Completion of the project is slated for April 2026.
Powered by solar energy, the system will operate submersible pumps to draw groundwater, which will then be distributed through a canal network. The infrastructure is expected to support year-round planting cycles, lower irrigation costs, and boost food security while advancing climate-resilient farming practices.
“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 during the launch. “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 were present at the groundbreaking ceremony, signaling local government support for the renewable irrigation transition. Officials highlighted the positive impact the project is expected to have on rural livelihoods and agricultural productivity.
The Maihao development is part of a broader P70-million investment by NIA in solar-powered irrigation projects across Masbate. Similar systems have already been completed in the municipalities of Dimasalang, Balud, Mandaon, and San Jacinto.
According to NIA, the initiative supports the shift from single-season, rain-fed agriculture to multi-season cultivation, aimed at increasing crop yields and boosting farmers’ incomes.
In a message delivered during the event, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez emphasized the national importance of such efforts. “Every drop of water is a drop of hope,” the message read, underscoring the role of sustainable irrigation in improving the lives of Filipino farmers.
The Maihao project will be executed in two phases, with the current P20-million allocation funding the initial implementation. NIA projects the system will ultimately benefit over 100 farmers as expansion plans unfold.
The solar irrigation program aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directives on rural development, food security, and the modernization of agricultural infrastructure.
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