09/04/2026
THROWBACK THURSDAY | BICOL RIVER'S LASTING PURPOSE
Long before concrete roads carved their way through the land, the Bicol River stood more than just a body of water for the Bicolanos—it served as a pathway that carried them to bustling markets and neighboring towns.
With no roads to traverse, boats glided along its currents, becoming the primary means of transportation for communities.
In those days, the Bicol River was the thread that wove towns and barangays together. It connected lives, sustained livelihoods, and opened passage to opportunities.
Over the years, it has evolved into a vital artery that kept their communities moving and thriving, and even becoming the lifeline for agriculture as it served as one of the major sources of irrigation in the province of Camarines Sur.
In the 1970s, through the Bicol River Basin Development Program (BRBDP), several irrigation systems were established which have brought hope for thousands of farmers. The BRBDP is considered as an early experiment on geography-based planning that aims to improve the communities in the Bicol River Basin where the highest incidences of poverty were observed.
One of the big ticket projects realized under the BRBDP was the irrigation system in Libmanan, now serving around 3,000 hectares of farmlands.
The BRBDP has encountered shortcomings over its years of implementation. However, it was only recently that His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed a comprehensive review of the program, with the aim of refining its framework and incorporating specific strategies to enhance its effectiveness, sustainability, and long-term impact on the communities it serves.
sa
THROWBACK THURSDAY | BICOL RIVER'S LASTING PURPOSE
Long before concrete roads carved their way through the land, the Bicol River stood more than just a body of water for the Bicolanos—it served as a pathway that carried them to bustling markets and neighboring towns.
With no roads to traverse, boats glided along its currents, becoming the primary means of transportation for communities.
In those days, the Bicol River was the thread that wove towns and barangays together. It connected lives, sustained livelihoods, and opened passage to opportunities.
Over the years, it has evolved into a vital artery that kept their communities moving and thriving, and even becoming the lifeline for agriculture as it served as one of the major sources of irrigation in the province of Camarines Sur.
In the 1970s, through the Bicol River Basin Development Program (BRBDP), several irrigation systems were established which have brought hope for thousands of farmers. The BRBDP is considered as an early experiment on geography-based planning that aims to improve the communities in the Bicol River Basin where the highest incidences of poverty were observed.
One of the big ticket projects realized under the BRBDP was the irrigation system in Libmanan, now serving around 3,000 hectares of farmlands.
The BRBDP has encountered shortcomings over its years of implementation. However, it was only recently that His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed a comprehensive review of the program, with the aim of refining its framework and incorporating specific strategies to enhance its effectiveness, sustainability, and long-term impact on the communities it serves.
sa