STRICT DEADLINE: NIA-6 targets Jalaur canal completion by 2027

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Farmers in Central Iloilo may soon benefit from year-round irrigation as the National Irrigation Administration Western Visayas (NIA-6) commits to completing the high line canal of the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II by June 2027.

NIA-6 Regional Manager Engr. Jonel Borres said Tuesday, April 28, that civil works for the canal have reached 50% completion as of this month.

Borres said construction is progressing from the Afterbay Dam up to the 37-kilometer mark of the 80-kilometer high line canal.

He added that ongoing works cover the towns of Calinog, Lambunao and Badiangan.

Once completed, the canal system will extend to Janiuay, Cabatuan, Santa Barbara, Pavia, San Miguel and Oton.

“Our target will be in June 2027. By that time, our highline canal should already be functional […] As long as the budget is approved and since we are waiting for the release to be approved, we are committed to completing this project by next year,” Borres emphasized.

He said construction activities have accelerated since March due to the dry season, allowing contractors to operate at full capacity.

Borres said they are preparing for the release of the Special Allotment Release Order to continue work on the remaining canal sections.

He cited rising fuel prices and unfavorable weather conditions as major challenges affecting construction.

“We have challenges faced now, our fuel crisis, especially with the spike in the prices of fuel. But our major challenge in the area is the unfavorable weather conditions,” he said, noting that typhoons and other disturbances significantly reduced workable days at the project site last year.

For 2026, Borres said a PHP 5.75 billion budget has been approved to complete the high line canal.

The canal serves as the main conveyance structure of the Jalaur project and is expected to irrigate 9,500 hectares of new rain-fed agricultural land while rehabilitating 22,340 hectares under existing national irrigation systems.

It is also designed to deliver about 86,400 liters of water daily for domestic and industrial use in Iloilo City and nearby towns.