In a significant move to enhance food security and increase local rice production, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has committed to expediting the completion of the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project – Stage II in Iloilo. This decision aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize food affordability and security across the Philippines.
The project, valued at PHP19.698 billion, includes the construction of a 109-meter-high dam, a 38-meter afterbay dam on the Jalaur River, and a catch dam on the Alibunan River in Calinog town. NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen expressed confidence that the project could be completed by next year, provided an additional PHP3 billion is released by the government this year, ideally by October, to facilitate timely bidding.
Guillen highlighted the importance of completing the project by December or January to take advantage of the dry season, benefiting approximately 25,000 farmers. The additional funding could be sourced from the government’s unprogrammed or contingency funds, pending approval from the National Economic and Development Authority and the Department of Budget and Management.
The Jalaur River Multipurpose Project – Stage II is anticipated to boost the annual rice production in Iloilo to about 320,000 metric tons, significantly enhancing both cropping intensity and yield. This increase is crucial for national food security, as it promises higher yields for farmers and protection against typhoons.
Moreover, NIA has managed to save funds by rejecting proposed design changes from their Korean contractor, Daewoo Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd., which would have added PHP24 billion to the project cost without providing additional irrigable land. Currently, the construction of three dams and a 16-kilometer-high line canal is 76.94% complete. The full 80.7-km high line canal is essential for irrigation, water supply, hydroelectric power, and eco-tourism.
The project, which began in 2012, has been supported by a grant from the South Korean government and equity from the Philippine government.