“Bulo-Magasusu SWIP’s true value lies in benefits to farmers, communities”- Gov. Edduba grateful to Sec. Laurel, vows continued support to Kalinga’s agri-industry

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The success of the Bulo-Magasusu Small Water Impounding Project (SWIP) should be measured not simply by the water it stores or the structure built, but by how it improves agricultural production and creates better opportunities for farming communities, Governor James S. Edduba said.

Edduba made the statement during the project's inauguration in Barangay Bulo, Tabuk City, on November 5, through a message delivered by Provincial Administrator Teddy Gullay.

“As we formally unveil this project, let us remember that its true value lies not in the structure itself, but in the benefits it will bring to our communities,” Edduba said.

He stressed that agriculture remains the backbone of Kalinga's economy and a primary source of livelihood for many families. However, farmers continue to face challenges brought by changing weather patterns, water scarcity, and increasing demands for food production.

Known as the Rice Granary of the Cordillera, Kalinga is the region's leading rice producer, supplying a significant share of its rice requirements. The province produced 138,553 metric tons of rice in 2025, accounting for more than 40 percent of the Cordillera's total output.

According to Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) Regional Technical Director for Operations Danilo Daguio, Kalinga is also recognized as one of the country's top 10 rice-producing provinces.

As a major rice-producing province, Kalinga needs sustained investments in irrigation and other agricultural support facilities to maintain and improve its production.

The Bulo-Magasusu SWIP is one such investment. Worth ₱30,569,396.93, the project is designed to provide irrigation to 85 hectares of agricultural land and benefit 35 farmers. It also has a 177-hectare watershed and an 18-hectare pond area.

By collecting and storing water, the facility is expected to help farmer-beneficiaries sustain their agricultural activities during periods of insufficient rainfall.

Beyond the project's direct benefits to farmers, Edduba also recognized the cooperation among government agencies and other stakeholders that made its implementation possible.

He expressed gratitude to the national and local agencies that supported the project.

“On behalf of the Provincial Government of Kalinga, I express our deepest gratitude to the Department of Agriculture, under the leadership of Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., the Bureau of Soils and Water Management, the City Government of Tabuk, and all stakeholders who contributed to the realization of this important undertaking,” he said.

The governor also reaffirmed his administration's commitment to supporting programs that promote agricultural modernization and sustainable resource management to empower farmers and strengthen communities.