MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Thursday said the government’s ongoing rollout of solar-powered irrigation systems could help make President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s P20-per-kilo rice target sustainable.

Speaking at the turnover of a National Irrigation Administration (NIA) solar irrigation project in Barangay Castañas, Romualdez said renewable energy-powered irrigation reduces farming costs and improves yields—factors that could drive down rice prices.

“Hindi na kailangan ng krudo, libre na ang patubig, kaya mas bababa ang gastos ng mga magsasaka. Mas marami silang aanihin at mas mura ang bigas na ibebenta,” he told reporters after the event.

The newly inaugurated project serves 33 farmer-beneficiaries and irrigates 50 hectares of farmland. According to Romualdez, farmers in areas with similar NIA projects save up to P80,000 per cropping season and are now able to harvest twice a year instead of once.

He said solar irrigation will be a key support mechanism for the Marcos administration’s affordable rice program, which has already started in pilot areas in the Visayas.

Romualdez added that more than 1,000 solar irrigation systems have been completed nationwide, with another 1,000 planned for rollout across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

“Kailangan lang ituloy ang magandang programang ito. Sa tulong ng ganitong mga proyekto, maaabot talaga natin ang P20 kada kilo ng bigas,” he said.