By Brian Campued
In line with the administration’s commitment to building reliable and sustainable infrastructure in “Bagong Pilipinas”, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited Cagayan province to lead the inauguration of the Union Water Impounding Dam and the inspection of the Camalaniugan Bridge project.
A convergence project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the “Katubigan” or “Kalsada Tungo sa Patubigan” Program—situated in Barangays Union and Cadcadir in Claveria town—is designed to provide year-round irrigation, prevent flooding, and spur eco-tourism.
The President noted that the dam was completed in 14 months, stressing that the government can build effective flood control infrastructure that will benefit the people.
“Basta’t maayos ang pagpagawa, maayos ang disenyo, maayos ang implementasyon, wala tayong makikitang problema,” he said.
Marcos explained that the structure can also regulate river flow during heavy rains and divert water to irrigate farmlands, benefitting over 1,000 farmers across seven barangays.
“Alam naman po namin na hindi naman po madali ang buhay ng ating magsasaka. Kaya’t lahat ng suporta na kaya naming ibigay ay ibinibigay natin,” he said.
DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon said he is eyeing to replicate the project in areas needing flood mitigation structures that can also function as a dam.
Afterwards, the Chief Executive visited the Camalaniugan Bridge, a 1,580-meter-long cable-stayed bridge, which will connect the towns of Camalaniugan and Aparri in Cagayan.
With a planned completion date of January 2026, the bridge will serve as an alternate route to the old Magapit Suspension Bridge and cut travel time between Aparri and Ballesteros from one hour to 20 minutes, benefiting over 6,000 travelers daily.
“We are looking at one of the most beautiful bridges that we have created in the Philippines. And I’m happy to note that it was done as well in time and it was done properly,” Marcos said.
“At bukod pa doon, ipinagmamalaki ng ating mga mayor na kung titingnan ninyo mayroon diyang flood control at ang pagkasabi niya sa akin ganyan ang itsura ng tamang flood control,” he added, lauding local officials for ensuring that the bridge will not be incomplete or classified as a ghost project.
Support to farmers
During an “Ugnayan” dialogue with farmers in Claveria, Cagayan, the President announced that farmers affected by low farmgate palay prices due to the cost of imported rice will each receive P10,000 from the government.
He noted that the National Food Authority (NFA) is procuring wet palay at P18 to P19 per kilo and dry palay at P21 to P23 per kilo—significantly higher than the P8 per kilo offered by some rice traders.
“Kung mahal ang imported rice, tataas ang lahat. ‘Pag mura ang imported rice, bababa lahat… ‘Pag mag-import lang tayo nang mag-import at hindi natin ayusin ang production ay matatamaan ang ating mga farmer,” Marcos said.
He likewise assured that the government will also expand crop insurance coverage and provide farm equipment to boost local production; as well as build more service canals, farm-to-market roads, and farm-to-market bridges to enhance accessibility.
Complementing these initiatives is the construction of 147 rice processing centers across the country within the year, which will have drying, milling, and polishing facilities.
“Kapag naayos natin ang sistema ng agrikultura at sapat na ang ating rice supply, makikita natin, mas magiging maayos, kontrolado na natin, hindi na natin inaalala kung ano ang presyo sa international. Basta kung ano ang presyo na gusto natin, ‘yun ang ilalagay natin dahil kontrolado na natin dahil dito sa Pilipinas galing,” Marcos explained.
-av
