By Brian Jules Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday underscored the role of water security in fostering peace and development in Mindanao as he assured the people that more infrastructure projects await the region following the launch of the Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project Stage II (MMIP II) in Cotabato.
“Without water, there are no farms. Without farms, there is no food. No food, no life. Therefore, water is life,” Marcos said in a speech during the inauguration ceremony in the municipality of Pikit. “With this comes another fundamental truth, without water security, we cannot have food security.”
He explained that the MMIP — which will benefit more than 4,000 farmers and water over 10,000 hectares of farmland in Cotabato and Maguindanao — will not only address irrigation problems but also a source of life and hope for Mindanaoans.
“With this irrigation project, the land will become a fertile field of grain. It will bring many bountiful harvests, nourish many families, and ensure their children will get their fair share of progress. It will put food on their plates, so that people may share their blessings at the table of peace,” President Marcos said.
According to the President, he aims for peace to “take root” in the land to turn Cotabato from a “warzone to an economic hub” as envisioned under the Bagong Pilipinas, as he highlighted the need to boost the agricultural sector in Mindanao.
“Sa puntong ito, hayaan ninyong maggawad ako ng panata. Hindi lang po irigasyon ang dadaloy sa inyong lupain. Marami pang proyektong pang-agrikultura ang darating,” Marcos said.
“Marami pa pong serbisyo ang ilalaan upang maitaas ang antas ng pamumuhay ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga nasa BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao). Ginagarantiya ko sa inyo na ang Build Better More na programa natin ay hindi lang pangkalunsuran, ito ay pangkanayunan, at pangkalahatan,” he added.
The Chief Executive, likewise, called on the residents to “take care of this very valuable project.”
”Mahalin, ingatan, pangalagaan, magbigayan, at huwag abusuhin. Patakbuhin nang mabuti upang mapakinabangan ng mga darating pa na mga salinlahi,” he said. – av
