‘BEREFT OF TRUTH’: NIA Refutes Advocacy Group’s Claims on Jalaur Dam Project

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The National Irrigation Administration has pushed back against criticism from the Jalaur River for the People’s Movement, calling the group’s claims about the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage II “misleading” and lacking factual basis.

JRMP II spokesperson Steve Cordero told Daily Guardian on Monday, June 2, that while public scrutiny is welcome, criticism must be grounded in facts.

“These are not only misleading but bereft of truth,” Cordero said.

“These are generalizations without factual data or basis. It’s okay to criticize, as long as these are responsible and based on facts.”

He acknowledged the right to question a nationally significant government project but emphasized the need for accuracy.

One of the advocacy group’s primary claims is that the project’s irrigation canal system is being built “piecemeal” by local contractors following the withdrawal of Korean firm Daewoo E&C.

Daewoo’s contract ended on Nov. 15, 2024, and the firm did not renew, prompting a contract amendment that reduced its scope of work.

Cordero explained that the construction strategy prioritizes complex structures first, not uniform canal installation.

“Our canals pass through high elevations,” he said.

“There are sections that require deeper excavation or mountain cutting, which take time to complete.”

He added that the phased construction includes siphons and cut-and-cover sections, which are more technically demanding.

He clarified that Daewoo focused on these difficult components, while local contractors were assigned smaller, open canal sections.

Cordero said the agency remains in close coordination with local governments and is targeting 9,500 hectares of irrigated farmland across new and existing areas.

He also addressed claims that some farmlands were excluded from the irrigation coverage area.

He said the group may have received inaccurate information about coverage zones.

The advocacy group also alleged that thousands of farmers lost land and income, receiving only PHP50,000 per hectare in compensation, which they deemed insufficient.

Cordero said the compensation rate was a collective decision by the Council of Elders, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the Department of Agriculture, and other agencies.

“In upland areas, we’ve achieved nearly 100% payment at PHP50,000 per hectare,” he said.

He clarified that this compensation applies only to ancestral domains as a “replacement cost” for land use and not as payment for land ownership.

For private lands downstream, compensation follows Republic Act 10752, which is based on land classification and appraised value.

Cordero admitted that paying for private lands is slower due to the need for extensive documentation.

He also rejected as false the claim that the dam increases flood risk due to uncontrolled water overflow when full.

“Our project includes a flood mitigation component,” he said.

“We collect rainwater to reduce flooding in low-lying areas.”

He explained that the dam’s spillway allows water to flow naturally once capacity is reached, preventing flash floods without human intervention.

Cordero said the dam has continuously released water for ecological purposes since the start of impounding.

He defended the value of the JRMP II, noting that it has earned the support of three administrations and continued interest from private partners.

“If this project had no value or benefits for the community, it would not have been approved from the beginning,” he said.

JRMP II began under President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., gained momentum and funding under President Benigno Aquino III, and is now nearing completion under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Cordero emphasized the project’s long-term benefits for irrigation, water supply, and power generation, despite implementation delays.

In 2024, the National Economic and Development Authority flagged JRMP II as one of the problematic official development assistance-funded projects.

NEDA has listed JRMP II as an “Actual Problem Project” since 2021, citing persistent issues placing it in the Early Warning or Critical Stage.