MINALABAC, Camarines Sur – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. On Monday inspected over P332 million in solar-powered irrigation projects in Camarines Sur province, a key component of his administration’s push to bolster food security and modernize the Philippine agricultural sector. The projects, totaling P332,198,409.97, are designed to irrigate 1,807.85 hectares of rice land and directly benefit approximately 1,800 farmers across the municipalities of Minalabac and Bula.
The initiative represents a significant investment in climate-resilient agricultural technology, aiming to reduce reliance on traditional power sources and lower operational costs for farmers. The projects come at a time when the Philippines is increasingly focused on strengthening its domestic food supply chains and mitigating the impacts of climate change on agricultural production. The move also addresses long-standing issues of energy access and affordability for rural farming communities.
The bulk of the funding, P205,465,476.34, was allocated to the New Massba (Mataoroc-Sagrada-San Jose-Baliuag Agrarian Reform Cooperative) multipurpose cooperative, supporting 1,132 farmer-beneficiaries across 1,255.85 hectares in Minalabac. This involved the installation of 900 solar panels with a 600-kilowatt capacity, coupled with inverters for four 200-horsepower pumps and motors. Construction began in November 2024 and was completed in December 2025, according to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
Addressing Decades-Old Challenges
For the New Massba MPC, the solar-powered irrigation system resolves a decades-long struggle with unreliable electricity access. Chairman Jesus Salceda Frivaldos explained that the cooperative had accumulated an outstanding balance of approximately P10 million with the Camarines Sur Electric Cooperative II over three decades, leading to frequent power disconnections. “Before, we were paying more than half a million pesos for energy consumption,” Frivaldos said, “but with the help of the solar-powered irrigation projects of the National Irrigation Administration, today we are just paying more than P200,000.”
The transition to solar power isn’t just about cost savings; it’s about ensuring consistent water supply for rice cultivation. Frivaldos highlighted the historical significance of the irrigation facility, originally constructed 44 years ago during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. “We’re happy that his son, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., continues to help us through the NIA’s solar-powered irrigation project,” he added.
Beyond Cost Savings: Increased Efficiency and Sustainability
The project is expected to significantly reduce the financial burden on farmers, previously requiring them to contribute eight cavans (a unit of measure for rice) of unmilled rice per hectare per cropping season to cover electricity costs. The solar-powered pump will serve 634.17 hectares of operational rice land within the larger 1,255.85-hectare service area, benefiting 1,097 farmers from the Massba MPC. These projects fall under NIA’s 2024 Establishment of Groundwater Pump Irrigation Project.
Expanding Solar Irrigation to Bula, Camarines Sur
The presidential visit also included an inspection of projects at the San Agustin and San Ramon Agrarian Reform Farmers’ Cooperative in Bula, Camarines Sur. This phase of the initiative covers 551.9217 hectares and benefits 722 farmer-beneficiaries. The installation of another 900 solar panels and two 200-horsepower (600 kilowatt) inverters/controllers cost P126,732,933.63, with work completed in August 2025 after beginning in October 2024.
For decades, the San Agustin and San Ramon cooperative faced monthly electricity bills ranging from P300,000 to P400,000 to operate two pumps irrigating approximately 552 hectares. To cover these costs, farmers were required to contribute 12 cavans of palay per hectare. The shift to solar energy has dramatically reduced these expenses, dropping from around P450,000 monthly to as low as P7,665 in September 2025, and eventually reaching zero in subsequent months.
The panels installed beside the San Ramon Pump Irrigation System Canal are projected to maintain 25 years of efficiency, producing 670 watts of electricity. NIA Administrator Eduardo Eddie Guillen emphasized that solar-powered irrigation is a key strategy for lowering production costs and enhancing agricultural productivity nationwide. Executive Order No. 36, signed in July 2023, directs the NIA to prioritize the implementation of solar-powered irrigation systems.
Looking Ahead
The success of these projects in Camarines Sur is expected to serve as a model for similar initiatives across the Philippines. The NIA is continuing to assess potential sites for further solar-powered irrigation development, with a focus on areas facing high electricity costs and water scarcity. The agency will provide an update on the nationwide rollout of the program during its annual performance review in December 2026.
This investment in sustainable agricultural infrastructure underscores the Marcos administration’s commitment to achieving food security and improving the livelihoods of Filipino farmers. The long-term benefits of reduced energy costs, increased crop yields, and environmental sustainability are expected to contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth and resilience.
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