JRMP II Rising Amidst COVID – 19

By Flordalie L. Pagente – PRO

The Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) carries on with its office and construction activities despite the threat of coronavirus. In fact, the project remains ahead of its construction schedule.

This as the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) highlights the need to continue delivering irrigation  water to farmlands and support the agriculture sector of the country. Specific for JRMP II, the need for timely completion of the construction phase of the project is one of the priorities of the irrigation agency.

The slogan #TuloyAngDaloyNIA is the agency’s vows for uninterrupted operation in all of its projects and irrigation systems. This is what the Project Management Office (PMO) of JRMP II heeds as the completion of the project means economic rural growth in the Province of Iloilo.

Operating amidst the pandemic, JRMP II and its international contractor Daewoo E&C have never been short of measures to safeguard the employees and the project stakeholders, thus ensuring uninterrupted project implementation. Learning from the Korean experience, and in accordance to the provisions of Presidential Proclamation No. 922 or the declaration of State of Public Health Emergency throughout the country, health and safety mechanisms were put in place both in the PMO and the project site.

Disinfection and cleanliness of both the PMO and site offices were maintained. Sanitizers, footbaths and disinfectants were made available for all. Facemasks and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were also procured and distributed to reporting employees. During Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), JRMP II also provided food to reporting employees in its offices. Aside from that, NIA constantly monitors COVID-19 cases in the country specifically in the Province of Iloilo so immediate preventive measures are carried out. Work From Home, Shifting work schedules and skeleton workforce were adopted to ensure minimum physical contact among workers. Employees from other provinces were also required to secure medical certificates upon return and immediate isolation of those living in areas with confirmed cases.

As a result of these health and safety protocols, JRMP II and Daewoo E&C maintain that no employee has contracted the deadly virus since the start of the community quarantine four months ago. These protocols were made to good use and have proven their effectiveness in managing health and personnel safety concerns when a reported transient Locally Stranded Individuals (LSI) from Cebu who delivered goods for the subcontractor tested positive for COVID-19.

On a brighter side, as of May 31, 2020, actual physical accomplishment is at 27.98 percent. This as the Alibunan River Catch Dam in Toyungan, Calinog nears completion as well as the successful diversion of the Jalaur River giving way to the construction of the Jalaur High Dam. Construction on the 80-kilometer High Line Canal has also started. Land development for the Resettlement Site in Sitio Agburi, Cahigon, Calinog is ongoing as well.

With the current positive pace of JRMP II implementation, there is no doubt that the project with be operational by 2023. Aside from its irrigation component, hydroelectric power generation and bulk water supply will surely constitute to the demands of the Iloilo Province and Iloilo City.

Indeed, JRMP II remains a Partner in Progress  – a Katuwang sa Kauswagan.