ILOILO – The construction of the three major dam components of the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) in Calinog, Iloilo is considerably completed, according to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region 6.
The NIA-6 yesterday announced that the Jalaur High Dam has attained its designed height of 109 meters tall or at elevation 194 meters above sea level.
“On Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, the Project Management Office (PMO) of the NIA Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II together with its international contractor Daewoo E&C carried out the final batch of concrete pouring at the high dam spillway bridge, which likewise indicated that the structure was already substantially completed,” the NIA-6 added.
With this development, the remaining activities at the dam sites include reservoir preparation, tunnel plugging, preparation of stilling basin and electromechanical works for the operation phase, among many others.
In particular, the major remaining construction activities are the irrigation component which covers the 80-kilometer high line canal and another 80-kilometer main and lateral canals that shall convey water from the dams to the farmlands.
The high dam, during its operation, will store an estimated 250 million cubic meters of water that can be utilized for multi-purpose uses such as irrigation, bulk water, hydroelectric power and inland fishery.
The reservoir dam will likewise generate eco-tourism opportunities and mitigate flooding in Calinog and nearby towns.
The two other dams component such as the Afterbay Dam was completed by the contractor in February this year while the Alibunan Catch Dam was completed in December 2021.
As a multi-purpose project, JRMP II will provide benefits such as flood mitigation and control, the promotion of eco-tourism in selected reservoir areas, and serve as possible source of power supply.
JRMP II was first implemented in 1960s after the fourth Congress passed Republic Act 2651, which provides for the construction of the JRMP in Iloilo. Its first phase was completed in 1980s but its second phase was derailed due to lack of funding.
At the helm of its implementation are NIA Administrator Engineer Eduardo Eddie Guillen and NIA-6 Acting Regional Manager and concurrent Project Manager Engineer Jonel Borres./PN
