ILOILO – The security of people working on the P11.2-billion Jalaur River Multipurpose Project (JRMP) Stage II in the hinterlands of Calinog town is a concern, according to Mayor Alex Centena. He received information on the presence of New People’s Army (NPAs) rebels in the project area.
“Indi sila bal-an gusto sang dam,” said the mayor, referring to the rebels.
Centena asked the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) to deploy more policemen to his municipality.
The rebels were sighted in the mountainous villages of Agcalaga, Cahigon and Alibunan.
JRMP II, said to be the biggest dam outside Luzon, will provide uninterrupted irrigation water to 32,000 hectares of Iloilo farmland, benefit more than 783,000 farmers and increase annual production of rice to 300,000 metric tons from 140,000.
Over 10 contractors of Daewoo Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd. have started building their barracks and motor pool in Calinog.
“I want to ensure the safety of the contractors. I could not be complacent,” said Centena.
Heavy equipment such as dump trucks, bulldozers and backhoes must also be secured, he added.
“Wala sila sang permanent nga security. Ti karon kun ano matabo sa ila, sin-o ang basulon? Kami nga local officials,” said Centena.
JRMP II includes the construction of 109-meter Jalaur high dam; a 38.5-meter afterbay dam; a 10-meter Alibunan catch dam; a 80.74-kilometer high line canal; generation of new areas for irrigation; and rehabilitation of existing irrigation system.
The Philippine Army has deployed personnel to Calinog but Centena said stay-in police forces would further beef-up the security of construction people and equipment.
The dam’s construction is expected to generate jobs to around 17,000 workers composed of engineers, carpenters, welders, masons, and drivers of heavy equipment.
“If you want to work, you will be our priority,” Centena said, particularly referring to the people in his town and nearby environs.
Maintaining the dam construction peaceful and orderly has another benefit, he said.
“If we could not maintain peace in our area, we will have a bad image among investors,” said Centena.
The JRMP II was initially scheduled for groundbreaking on Oct. 4 but this did not push through. President Rodrigo Duterte was not available on that day due to prior commitments, according to National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region 6 public information officer Steve Cordero.
NIA, the project’s implementing agency, wanted the President to lead the groundbreaking.
Cordero said NIA hoped to include the mega dam’s groundbreaking in the President’s November schedule of activities.
The signing of the construction contract was already done – on Sept. 3 at the NIA Complex in Quezon City.
Once completed, this large-scale reservoir dam will ensure farmers with a consistent third cropping each year.
South Korea’s Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. is the project contractor./PN
