Jalaur Dam expected to boost Iloilo City’s water supply

The ongoing Jalaur Dam project in Calinog, Iloilo is expected to boost the water supply of Iloilo City, according to Rogelio Singson, president and CEO of Metro Pacific Water and former secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Once the construction of the Jalaur Dam is finished by 2023 and there is good rainfall, there will be more than sufficient water for potable, hydropower, and irrigation.

“Napakaswerte dito sa Iloilo dahil meron tayong inaasahang yung Jalaur Dam which we started working with NIA and other agencies sometime in 2012 to 2013. Pagnatapos yun at may magandang rainfall, mapupuno yung dam, we will have more than sufficient water for potable, hydropower and irrigation,” he said in a media interview on Thursday

Currently, the Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) still sources water from deep wells and the Maasin watershed.

With the water source from Jalaur Dam, Singson said MPIW will no longer rely on the deep wells which are no longer sustainable.

“Kasi ngayon pinagkukuhanan namin ng tubig para idi-distribute, indi kasya so what we have to do, expand, increase the capacity of this deep wells, at improve yung additional water but once we have the Jalaur source, we will have enough water indi na tayo aasa sa deep well. Kung maiiwasan natin ang deep well iwasan natin, kasi hindi sustainable,” he added.

Singson also lauded the strong public and private partnership in Iloilo City noting that all the other cities in the country are looking up at the metro.

“We need a good regional center for Western Visayas and we see Iloilo a very good area so talagang we were very happy with the support of the local officials marami kaming nagawa. DPWH and all the other agencies are saying the same, kaya nagiging very good model ang Iloilo City. All other cities are looking up at Iloilo kaya I am emphasizing our working relationship with the LGUs is very important,” he said.

Singson attended the groundbreaking and inauguration of the four major water infrastructure projects of MPIW in Jaro and Mandurriao districts last Friday.

The P102 million worth of water infrastructure projects are seen to enhance water distribution services and reduce water losses at the eight barangays in the metro and improve water availability to its service areas.

MPIW, a joint venture between Metro Pacific Water and Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) currently serves Iloilo City and the municipalities of Oton, Sta. Barbara, Cabatuan, Maasin, San Miguel, Pavia, and Leganes.

Meanwhile, the overall physical accomplishment of the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) in Calinog, Iloilo is at 48.37%, as of March 15, 2022.

Simultaneous works are being conducted in construction sites including the Jalaur High Dam, Jalaur Afterbay Dam, Alibunan River Catch Dam, High Line Canal, JRMP II Housing / Resettlement Site and other important irrigation structures. JRMP II is expected to be completed by December 2023. (DG)