Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur — February 12, 2026 — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the inauguration of the Mahayag Dam Project, marking a major milestone in agricultural and community development in Mindanao.
The ceremony, held in Barangay Lower Salug Daku in Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur, highlighted the successful reconstruction and rehabilitation of the dam under the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
In his address, President Marcos underscored the project’s importance in ensuring reliable irrigation, improving water diversion, and strengthening flood control systems that will benefit thousands of farmers and households across the province.
“Sa pamamagitan ng proyektong ito, inaasahan nating mas mapapabuti ang irigasyon at gawaing pang-agrikultura ng rehiyon… Tinatayang higit tatlong libo’t isang daang magsasaka at kanilang mga pamilya ang makikinabang,” the President said.
He added that the project reflects his administration’s Build, Better, More agenda, emphasizing that the dam was not only restored but further strengthened and expanded to meet long-term development needs.
High-Level Officials Attend Inauguration
Joining President Marcos during the event were Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr., Leo Tereso Magno of the Mindanao Development Authority, National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., and Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara.
Also present were local officials, including Zamboanga del Sur Governor Divina Grace Yu, First District Representative Joseph Kim Yu, and Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co, along with mayors from neighboring municipalities.
Secretary Magno expressed gratitude to President Marcos for prioritizing the Mahayag Dam under the Build, Better, More program, noting that the project not only enhances irrigation but also strengthens regional connectivity and economic integration in Mindanao.
Boost to Agriculture and Food Security
The Mahayag Dam serves as the main diversion structure of the Salug River Irrigation System (SARIS), the largest irrigation network in the Zamboanga Peninsula. It currently irrigates more than 8,102 hectares of farmland, supporting sustained agricultural productivity and food security in the province.
Officials said the improved system is expected to stabilize water supply during dry seasons, mitigate flooding during heavy rains, and increase crop yields for thousands of farming families.
Part of National Infrastructure Push
The project forms part of the administration’s flagship Build, Better, More infrastructure program, which has earmarked ₱9 trillion for 194 priority projects nationwide. The initiative covers transport, power, health, agriculture, water, and digital connectivity, with the government committing 5–6 percent of gross domestic product to infrastructure development from 2023 to 2028.
Over 120 of these projects are new initiatives, while others focus on strengthening and upgrading existing facilities to ensure long-term impact and continuity.
Strengthening Mindanao’s Development
Beyond its national significance, the Mahayag Dam Project also contributes to MinDA’s “Building a Better Mindanao” program, which promotes sustainable infrastructure and inclusive growth across the region.
Officials said projects like the Mahayag Dam are vital in enhancing community resilience, boosting agricultural output, and driving regional prosperity, particularly in rural and farming communities in Zamboanga del Sur.
With the dam now fully rehabilitated and operational, government leaders expressed optimism that it will serve as a cornerstone of development, livelihood security, and climate resilience for years to come.