President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday inaugurated the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) in Iloilo which is part of the largest water reservoir project in the country outside of Luzon.
The President said the P20- billion JRMP II project has three key components: irrigation development, environmental and watershed management, and institutional development.
As of June, the JRMP II has attained 75.51 percent completion rate with its three dams fully completed and 49.05 kilometers of line canal constructed. The project is targeted to be completed and operational by the end of 2025.
Marcos said once it is completed, the dam is expected to boost the agriculture industry and the economy in Western Visayas. It will help increase the region’s rice production by 160,000 metric tons or about 20 percent of the region’s rice requirements.
The water reservoir, which spans over 80 kilometers, will serve 31,840 hectares of land and benefit around 25,000 farmers.
The President said the high dam’s reservoir will also be utilized to supply the commercial and industrial bulk water requirements of Iloilo City and nearby municipalities as well as generate 6.6 megawatts of hydroelectric power which will supplement the power supply of Panay Island.
“Additionally, it is also proposed to develop inland fishery, floating solar energy systems, and eco-cultural tourism, in the near future. With all of these, the JRMP II truly deserves its label: Katuwang sa Kauswagan or Partner in Progress,” Marcos said.
In his speech, the President reiterated his call for all dam operators in the country to maximize their facilities not only to ensure and provide water supply for the public and irrigation to farmlands but also to use the captured water for other purposes such as generating electricity, development of tourism activities and help address flooding, among others.
“Our water development projects would not just bring irrigation or potable water to our people, but will also help address flooding, produce food, generate electricity, and develop tourism activities,” he said.
The project was supported by South Korea through its Official Development Assistance-Economic Development Cooperation Fund.
The first phase of JRMP was completed in 1982 or 42 years ago, under the term of then President Ferdinand Marcos, while groundbreaking for phase II was held in 2013.
