Photo courtesy of Presidential Communications Office
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the inauguration of the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP-II) mega dams in Iloilo’s Calinog town, which is seen to irrigate 30,000 hectares of farmland, benefiting 25,000 farmers, and is expected to boost the entire Western Visayas economy.
During the inauguration of the P20-billion JRMP-II, the President said the project is, by far, the largest water reservoir of its kind by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) outside of Luzon.
He said the JRMP II has three key components: irrigation development, environmental and watershed management, and institutional development.
“In fact, it is estimated to help increase annual rice production in Region 6 by 160,000 metric tons, which is almost 20 percent of the region’s annual rice requirement. On top of its use for irrigation, a portion of the water from the High Dam’s reservoir, or around 86 million liters per day, will be used to supply the commercial and industrial bulk water requirements of Iloilo City and its neighboring municipalities,” Marcos said.
The JRMP-II, the president added, will also generate 6.6 megawatts of hydroelectric power to supplement the power supply of Panay Island and has proposals to develop inland fisheries, floating solar energy systems, and eco-cultural tourism in the future.
“In Bagong Pilipinas, we are strategically harnessing our finite resources, especially water. We are also wisely investing our limited funds in projects that would bring optimal development for the most number of beneficiaries in the most efficient manner,” he said.
In his speech, the President said the JRMP II truly deserves its label, “Katuwang sa Kauswagan, or Partner in Progress.”
He pointed out that the country’s water development projects should not only bring irrigation or potable water to the people but also help address flooding, produce food, generate electricity, and develop tourism activities.
“I urge everyone who will be tasked with the operations and further developments of this project to maintain our sense of purpose, our integrity, and our dedication to you always. From the groundbreaking to the completion and down to the daily management, we must always uphold excellence and wisdom with compassion,” he said.
Meanwhile, NIA Administrator Eddie Guillen said the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project had gone through several challenges, from environmental and social aspects to the project implementation phase.
The project, he said, is not only a game changer in the province’s agricultural sector but also for the entire Western Visayas. (AAL/Lljr/PIA 6 Negros Occidental)
