ILOILO – The completion of the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project (JRMP) is expected to help boost the country’s food security and address declining agricultural productivity.
The P11.2-billion irrigation project is seen to provide the critical support needed by Iloilo farmers and the agriculture sector in general to improve productivity.
“The completion of this mega dam by December of next year will provide the much-needed push in the new administration’s efforts to address the numerous challenges to the country’s food security,” according to former senator Franklin Drilon who championed the construction of the biggest dam outside of Luzon.
JRMP is projected to increase annual production of rice in Iloilo to 300,000 metric tons from 140,000 metric tons. It could likewise expand the production areas of sugarcane and other crops.
“Its immediate completion will play a crucial role in the Marcos administration’s commitment to stabilize the food supply and improve food production,” said Drilon.
As of May 31, 2022, the project was 44.80 percent complete.
Drilon hopes that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who sits as agriculture secretary, will include among its priorities the construction and completion of agricultural facilities in the country such as JRMP.
Stalled for more than three decades, the P11.2-billion is the first large-scale reservoir dam outside of Luzon.
It was Drilon who secured the funding for JRMP from Korea through its Export-Import Bank which extended $207 million loan to the country payable in 30 years at an interest rate of 0.15% per annum.
The project is the single biggest Official Development Assistance (ODA) project of South Korea.
JRMP II will be able to provide year-round irrigation to 31,840 hectares of farm lots in the Province of Iloilo, so Iloilo, and the whole of Western Visayas, Drilon added.
JRMP II 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 system.
As a multi-purpose project, JRMP 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./PN
