MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the inauguration of the Union Water Impounding Dam in Claveria, Cagayan, which will improve the province’s irrigation system, enhance its flood resilience, and boost its agricultural productivity. During the inauguration of the dam, Marcos cited the timely completion of the project, noting that construction was finished in just 14 months. “This project began under my term and was also completed during my term. This goes to show that effective flood control is possible, so long as the work is done right, the design is solid, and the implementation is carried out well. There won’t be any issues,” he said. The President noted that a weir, or a low-head dam, helps control the flow of water during heavy rain or strong river currents, effectively preventing flooding downstream. He added that sluice gates on both sides draw water for irrigation, reaching far and covering a large area. “This irrigation system covers 3,600 hectares. All of that land can be watered simultaneously, thanks to the flood control measures. You know, when we build irrigation systems like this, we always include flood control as part of the plan,” Marcos said. “More than 1,000 farmers and seven villages will benefit from this project. We understand that the life of our farmers is not easy. So, we provide all the support we can.” The National Irrigation Administration has collaborated with the Department of Public Works and Highways under the convergence program called Kalsada Tungo sa Patubigan (Katubigan) Program. The program aims to enhance irrigation service roads and provide additional support to local agriculture. A key project of the program is the construction of the Small Reservoir Impounding Project in Claveria, Cagayan, addressing critical infrastructure needs and environmental challenges. PNA