NIA Administrator commends Jalaur progress

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“I am really very impressed with the progress of this project”, expressed the Administrator of National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA), General Ricardo R. Visaya during his visit to the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II).

For the first time after the groundbreaking and capsule-laying ceremony of JRMP II in 2019, the NIA Administrator Visaya together with the Deputy Administrator for Administrative and Finance Sector Ralph Lauren A. Du, visited the project site in Calinog, Iloilo on March 22, 2022. Said visit was pushed through after alert level for COVID-19 pandemic has been lowered to Level 1, thereby easing travel restrictions.

In a project briefing together with JRMP II Project Management Office (PMO), DAEWOO Engineering and Construction (E&C), and, Korean Rural Community – Joint Venture (KRC-JV) with Dasan and Saman, Administrator Visaya recalled the challenges dealt by JRMP II delaying its implementation for years. However, he also highlighted how everyone’s strong will, cooperation and support led to the realization of this dream project.

Noting that the project has remained on schedule and his observation on the actual situation on site, Administrator Visaya expressed admiration on the project. This is despite the several lockdowns due to COVID-19 infections among employees of DAEWOO E&C and the PMO as well as the restrictions imposed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

On the other hand, DAEWOO E&C presented the detailed actual construction accomplishment of the project focusing on their major activities. They also highlighted the process of using the Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) method in the placement of the dam bodies of Jalaur High Dam and Jalaur Afterbay Dam.

Meanwhile, Engineer Jonel B. Borres, JRMP II Project Manager, expressed his gratitude to the support of the NIA top management in the endeavors of the JRMP II. He added that as confirmation to the PMO’s gratefulness, they commit to remain steadfast in their duty to ensure the timely completion of the project so the intended benefits will be enjoyed by the stakeholders especially the Indigenous Peoples community, the Project Affected Families (PAF) and the farmers of Iloilo.

As of March 15, 2022, overall physical accomplishment of the project was at 48.37% as 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.

With the implementation remaining on track, JRMP II is expected to be completed by  December 2023, bringing inclusive growth in the Province of Iloilo especially to the farmer beneficiaries and IP communities.