1,821 farmers to benefit from Hibulangan dam in Leyte

Philstar.com

May 4, 2026 | 3:00pm

LEYTE, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  inaugurated the Hibulangan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) in the Municipality of Villaba in Leyte on April 30, providing 1,821 farmers year-round irrigation and cushioning the impact of an expected drought.

Officials from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), representatives from national government agencies, local executives, Irrigators’ Association (IA) officers and farmers were present at the event.

With a total project cost of P1.12 billion, the Hibulangan SRIP will irrigate 2,750 hectares of agricultural land in the municipalities of Villaba, Matag-ob and Kananga. It was funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) and completed during President Marcos’ term.

The project is aligned with the administration’s intensified efforts toward food security and agricultural resilience. It is also anchored on NIA Administrator Engr. Eddie Guillen’s 7-Point Strategic Policy Agenda, particularly on Irrigation Infrastructure Development.

In his message, NIA Senior Deputy Administrator Engr. Robert Suguitan highlighted the significance of a participatory approach to irrigation management.

While the management of the dam remains under NIA, he emphasized the vital role that IAs play in the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of irrigation systems. This provides farmers with sustainable irrigation support that boosts agricultural productivity.

“Ang NIA, sa pamumuno ni Administrator Eddie Guillen, ay mananatiling tapat sa aming tungkulin. Ang pamamahala ng dam ay aming sisiguraduhin, habang ang operasyon at maintenance ng mga kanal ay isasagawa kasama ang ating mga IA sa ilalim ng Irrigation Management Transfer,” Engr. Suguitan said.

At the core of the project is a 25-meter-high zoned earthfill dam with a crest length of 247.5 meters and a reservoir capacity of 9.01 million cubic meters, maximizing the region’s topography. It also features an extensive irrigation network, including 25 kilometers of main canals, 15.89 kilometers of lateral canals, five lateral systems, and 498 irrigation structures designed to ensure efficient and equitable water distribution across farmlands. 

“Bahagi ito ng mas malawak na layunin ng NIA na palakasin ang irigasyon sa Region VIII. Sa kasalukuyan, 79.50% na ng irrigable area sa rehiyon ang napapatubigan. At dito sa Leyte, umabot na tayo sa 91.25%. Ibig sabihin, tuluy-tuloy ang ating laban para sa food security. Tuluy-tuloy ang ating pagkilos para sa masaganang bukid,” Engr. Suguitan added.

Beyond increased rice production, the Hibulangan SRIP is expected to promote diversified cropping, enhance climate resilience, increase farm yields, and stimulate local economic activity. All of these contribute to sustainable agricultural development in Eastern Visayas.

Editor’s Note: This press release is published by the Advertising Content Team that is independent from our Editorial Newsroom.