The Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project (JRMP II), one of the biggest agricultural infrastructure projects to be completed within President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term, is pivotal in realizing the government’s efforts to strengthen food security and curb inflation.
Former Senate President Franklin M. Drilon expressed this during a press briefing held at the dam’s construction site in Calinog, Iloilo.
Drilon expressed his gratitude to President Marcos for his unwavering support for the completion of the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project, recognizing it as a significant step towards achieving food security in the Philippines.
“We thank President Marcos for his support in prioritizing this vital infrastructure project, which holds the key to addressing the country’s food security concerns,” Drilon said.
“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 stressed.
JRMP II was first implemented in 1960s after the Fourth Congress passed Republic Act 2651, which provides for the construction of the river project in Iloilo.
Its first phase 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 Benigno Aquino III that the project was revitalized with the necessary funding and resources.
Through the efforts of Drilon, the JRMP II was brought to life, breathing new hope into the ambitious endeavor to harness the vast potential of the Jalaur River for the benefit of the people of Iloilo and the entire nation.
One of the primary benefits of the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project is its potential to substantially increase rice production, thereby contributing to the stabilization of rice prices.
The high cost of rice has been identified as a significant contributor to inflation in the country, according to the former Senate leader during the press conference.
Engr. Jonel Borres, JRMP Project Manager and acting Regional Manager of the National Irrigation Administration in Western Visayas, said that the project is on track for completion by the end of 2024 and is expected to become fully operational by 2025, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s journey towards food security.
The construction of the dam’s major components – the high dam – is expected to be finished by December this year.
The project is envisioned to provide year-round supply of irrigation water to an estimated 31, 840 hectares of farm lots in the Province of Iloilo and shall benefit a total of 25,000 farmers.
With this, rice production in the province will increase to 338,874 metric tons per year, or equivalent to a 71.54% increase from the current production of 197,545 metric tons.
By expanding irrigation capabilities and enhancing water resource management, this project will likewise empower Filipino farmers to increase their agricultural productivity and reduce production costs, ultimately leading to a more stable and affordable food supply for the nation, according to Drilon.
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.
The P11.2-billion dam 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 a $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, and the whole of Western Visayas, Drilon added.
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.