Drilon: Jalaur mega dam completion pivotal to address PH food security
WATER FOR FARMS | The construction of the P11.2-billion Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II in Calinog, Iloilo, is 5- percent complete as of May. Once finished in 2023, it is seen to boost the government’s drive to stabilize food supply and production. (Photo from the Western Visayas office of the National Irrigation Administration)
MANILA, Philippines — The completion of Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project (JRMP II) in Calinog, Iloilo is pivotal in achieving food security and combating inflation, Former Senate President Franklin Drilon said.
JRMP II is one of the biggest agricultural infrastructure projects to be completed under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration. Drilon thanked the President’s support for it and stressed that the project holds the key for the government’s efforts in addressing the country’s food security concerns.
“We must complete this project as soon as possible because this project is very critical in overcoming the challenges that we face today, particularly food security and rising inflation,” he said in a recent statement.
According to Drilon, the high cost of rice is identified as a significant contributor to inflation in the country, and JRMP II can substantially increase rice production and contribute to the stabilization of the rice prices.
He said that by expanding irrigation capabilities and enhancing water resource management, Filipino farmers will be empowered to increase their agricultural productivity and reduce production costs.
The project is expected to increase rice production by over 70% per year. Drilon’s office said the dam will provide year-round supply of irrigation waters to over 31,000 hectares of farm lots in Western Visayas, and benefit a total of 25,000 farmers.
Aside from those, as a multi-purpose project, it was said the JRMP II will help in flood mitigation and control, the promotion of eco-tourism in selected reservoir areas, and serve as a possible source of power supply.
JRMP II is an P11.2 billion dam project that includes the construction of 109-meter Jalaur high dam, 38.5-meter afterbay dam, 10-meter Alibunan catch dam, 80.74-kilometer high line canal, generation of new areas for irrigation, and rehabilitation of existing irrigation systems, Drilon’s office noted.
According to his office, the first phase of JRMP II was completed in the 1980s, but its second phase was derailed due to lack of funding. It was only during the administration of the late President Noynoy Aquino that the necessary funding and resources was given to the project.
“It was Drilon who secured the funding for JRMP from Korea through its Export-Import Bank which extended a $207 million loan to the country payable in 30 years at an interest rate of 0.15% per annum,” a press release from the former Senator’s office said.
The dam will be completed by the end of 2024 and will become fully operational in 2025, according to JRMP II Project Manager and acting Regional Manager of the National Irrigation Administration in Western Visayas Engr. Jonel Borres.
