PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday inaugurated the Sulvec Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, that is seen to benefit more than 1,000 farmers in the area.

In his speech, Marcos said the medium-scale irrigation development project worth P940.46 million would help "elevate the state of agriculture in the country."

"It is a more than 900-million-peso project that includes the Sulvec Earthfill Dam, which is the first impounding dam to be constructed here in our province," Marcos said.

"It boasts a capacity of over one million cubic meters, if translated into practical terms, that means a generous supply of water that can irrigate more than 700 hectares of agricultural land in 10 barangay (villages) here in Pasuquin," he added.

Aside from storing water for irrigation, the President said it would also be used to house facilities for recreation and tourism.

"The NIA (National Irrigation Administration) is also planning to develop the Sulvec SRIP to accommodate a hydropower plant [and] facilities for recreation and tourism," he said.

Marcos said that the lake within the reservoir project was a "potential tourist spot," saying that the government should also capitalize from it.

"In fact, I was looking around. One of the things we discover when we do these things. While we have a dam, when we put a dam and there's a lake, immediately it is a potential tourist spot, and that's something that we can think about," he said.

The President also said that two hectares of the dam's reservoir would be dedicated to aquaculture.

"And besides, what we can add to the hydroelectric power and the aquaculture that we are going to get from this dam is also the... we will install solar power facilities so that in case we develop this as a tourist destination, there will be a source of electricity," he said.

Meanwhile, Marcos acknowledged the engineers, architects, and construction workers "who have relentlessly worked to ensure the integrity of its structure, operation, and maintenance of this program."

"And perhaps you might think that your tasks in doing this is just another job to meet the needs of your respective families, I have to tell you, it is much more than that," he said.

The Chief Executive also recognized the perseverance of the officials and staff of NIA that led to the accomplishment of the project.

He directed the NIA to see to it that the operations of the Sulvec SRIP will be "smooth and dependable so that we can keep our word to our citizens."

"This project is a testament to [the] Filipino mark of excellence which has contributed significantly to our efforts in rebuilding our nation and providing a better environment for the next generations," Marcos said.

"To the officials and staff of NIA, your perseverance has led to the accomplishment of this project. And while we celebrate the realization of this undertaking, the challenge for us moving forward is to keep delivering [on] our promises and for the aspirations of our people," he added.

Once operational, the Sulvec SRIP will provide year-round irrigation water supply to about 705 hectares of agricultural lands in 10 villages of Pasuquin in Ilocos Norte.

The irrigation project will further facilitate sustainable development in the area by improving agricultural productivity through the provision and improvement of irrigation and drainage infrastructures, potentially increasing the income and uplifting the standard of living of around 1,045 farmer beneficiaries.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources initially dispersed on Friday fingerlings of three species — carp, ayungin and freshwater prawn — in the designated reservoir area.