THE JALAUR River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II), a cornerstone infrastructure development in Iloilo, promises significant economic and social benefits. With the project’s completion targeted for the end of 2025, the importance of adhering to this deadline cannot be overstated, especially given the anticipated impact on agricultural productivity, food security, and local economies.
The project, initially envisaged in the 1960s and rejuvenated under the strident efforts of former Ilonggo Senate President Franklin Drilon, has seen its fair share of delays. The recent push for expedited work on the irrigation components by no less than Senator Drilon himself underscores the urgency of fulfilling the project’s objectives promptly. The irrigation system is crucial as it will eventually increase Iloilo’s rice production from 140,000 to 300,000 metric tons annually, a vital step in addressing the country’s pressing food security issues.
The economic implications of JRMP II are profound. By providing year-round irrigation to 31,840 hectares of farmland, the project will not only boost agricultural output but also stabilize food supply chains and expand the production areas for sugarcane and other crops. This expansion is expected to alleviate the poverty of 25,000 local farmers by significantly increasing their yield and income.
JRMP II also holds the promise of enhancing flood control, promoting eco-tourism, and potentially contributing to the power supply grid. Such multi-dimensional benefits underscore the project’s role in sustainable regional development, transcending mere agricultural productivity.
However, the journey to reaping these benefits is paved with challenges, notably the current pace of construction. With major components like the highline and main-lateral canals still incomplete, there is a pressing need for the contractor, Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd., to intensify efforts, perhaps even involving local contractors to expedite progress.
With the strategic importance of JRMP II in stabilizing food supply – and as the largest dam project outside Luzon and a critical infrastructure under the country’s largest Official Development Assistance (ODA) project from South Korea – its timely completion is crucial. The stakeholders, from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to the local government and the contractors, must double their efforts to ensure the project’s completion by the 2025 deadline. The economic, environmental, and social stakes are simply too high to allow for any further delays.
