Marcos Opens Major Irrigation Project for Western Leyte Farmers

Posted on May 4, 2026 at 9:42 pm

VILLABA, Leyte — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inaugurated the P1.1 Billion Hibulangan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project on April 30, a significant infrastructure endeavor aimed at boosting rice productivity in western Leyte.

The President expressed confidence that the project would enable farmers to cultivate rice two to three times a year, a marked improvement from the previous single-crop season. He emphasized that enhanced water management could lead to higher yields and bolster food production in the region.

Implemented by the National Irrigation Administration, the project is intended to irrigate approximately 2,750 hectares of farmland and support around 1,820 farmers in the municipalities of Villaba, Kananga, and Matag-ob, key rice-producing areas in the province.

The Department of Agriculture Eastern Visayas reported that the reservoir has a capacity of 9.01 million cubic meters, ensuring a consistent and dependable water supply year-round, especially during dry periods when water scarcity has historically impacted crop output.

Despite facing delays due to weather conditions and funding challenges over its more than 15-year timeline, the project was recently completed. It includes a network of irrigation canals built across rice fields to efficiently distribute water to farming communities.

Farmers in these regions have long relied on erratic rainfall, often experiencing losses during extended dry spells. With the new irrigation system now operational, authorities anticipate improved crop yields, higher farmer incomes, and enhanced food security in Eastern Visayas.

Photo courtesy: RTVM