Jalaur River Project completed after six decades

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II), the largest irrigation project in Western Visayas, was finally inaugurated by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in Calinog, Iloilo, on July 16.

Yesterday’s monumental event marks the completion of a project first conceived through Republic Act 2651 (R.A. 2651) on June 18, 1960.

Hailed as an “economic game-changer” for Iloilo province, the JRMP II underscores the Marcos administration’s commitment to its Build Better More (BBM) infrastructure agenda and Bagong Pilipinas campaign.

Joining the president at the inauguration were Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie Guillen, Ambassador Lee Sang-Hwa of South Korea, Korea Eximbank Country Director Jung Won Seo, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, and other national and local leaders.

The event was also attended by farmer-beneficiaries and members of the Indigenous Cultural Community of Panay Bukidnon.

JRMP II stands as the only large-scale reservoir dam outside Luzon and is NIA’s first project using the Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) method, a technique prevalent in international dam construction.

The P19.7 billion project aims to boost rice production by 71 percent and aligns with President Marcos’ food and water agenda.

Beyond irrigation, JRMP II will generate hydroelectric power, provide bulk water supply, manage floods, support inland fisheries, and promote eco-cultural tourism.

“Following the inauguration of the three dams and the completion of more than 80 kilometers of line canals, we anticipate that more than 30,000 hectares of service area and around 25,000 farmers will benefit from this uninterrupted supply of irrigation water,” Marcos said.

He added that it would significantly enhance agricultural development and the regional economy, potentially increasing annual rice production in Region VI by 160,000 metric tons, nearly 20 percent of the region’s annual requirement.

The High Dam’s reservoir will supply about 86 million liters of water per day to Iloilo City and neighboring municipalities.

“We also look forward to the 6.6 megawatts of hydroelectric power that it will generate to supplement the power supply on Panay Island,” Marcos noted.

The project has traversed three administrations. Stage I was completed in 1980 during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Budget constraints caused delays, but the project resumed under the late President Benigno Aquino III. The project is slated for full completion and operation by the end of 2025.

Funded as an Official Development Assistance (ODA) project by the South Korean government through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), JRMP II strengthens bilateral relations between the two countries.

Approximately P8.9 billion of the total project cost is covered by EDCF funding. As of June 2024, the project’s overall physical accomplishment stands at 75.51 percent, with substantial completion of the three dams: High Dam, Afterbay Dam, and Alibunan Catch Dam.

Water impoundment in the High Dam began in May 2024, and by July 15, stored water reached its minimum operational level. The remaining work involves constructing the High Line Canal and the main and lateral canals.

Former Senate President Franklin Drilon, an advocate for JRMP II, emphasized the project’s role in enhancing food security and controlling inflation.

“It’s more than just an infrastructure project. It will lay the foundation for a brighter future,” he said.