President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the official reopening of the newly restored Antong Dam and Irrigation System in Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat, on June 25.
The agricultural facility underwent a comprehensive three-year rehabilitation process after suffering severe damage in 2021 and facing subsequent destruction from Typhoon Paeng in 2022.
The restoration project, which required a budget of nearly ₱1 billion, aims to deliver a steady water supply to more than 1,500 hectares of farmlands, directly benefiting over 300 local farmers.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) emphasized that this initiative is central to the government’s overarching goal of increasing agricultural output and strengthening the country’s food security.
”Magiging daan ang proyektong ito sa mas maaasahang suplay ng tubig, mas mataas na ani, at mas malaking kita para sa mga magsasaka, habang patuloy na pinatitibay ng administrasyon ang food security sa bansa,” the PCO said.
After launching the dam, President Marcos traveled to Koronadal City, South Cotabato, to lead the distribution of major socio-civic development grants. During the visit, he handed over ₱40 million to the province of South Cotabato and ₱96 million to Cotabato province.
The financial packages were distributed under the national government’s “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program, which channels direct financial assistance to local government units.
These downloaded funds are specifically allocated for grassroots community projects to ensure rural areas in both provinces receive the necessary resources for local development.