Marcos: Accelerate work on Jalaur River Multipurpose Project II

A THREE-DIMENSIONAL model of the Jalaur River dam project. PHOTO Courtesy of NIA Western Visayas

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pressed for a speedy completion of the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project II in Calinog, Iloilo.

In a speech during Tuesday’s inauguration of the three dams that are part of the agricultural infrastructure project, Marcos said: “The [former] Senate President [Franklin Drilon] reminded me that he has been working at this for 13 years and I think it is entirely too long that the Phase I that was completed in my father’s time, that the Phase II should be completed in my time.”

“We should not have waited that long. So, I think we need to accelerate the process a little bit,” he added.

The irrigation project’s first phase was completed back in the 1980s under the term of Marcos’ father, the late President and dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. However, its second phase was derailed due to lack of funding.

READ: Drilon lauds Jalaur’s completion

It was only in 2011, under the term of late President Benigno S. Aquino III, that the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project II resumed.

The National Irrigation Authority (NIA) said that as of June 2024, the entire project is 75.51 percent completed.

And “with substantial completion of all three Jalaur Dams (High Dam, Afterbay Dam, and Alibunan Catch Dam),” NIA said the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project II – one of the biggest agricultural infrastructure projects in the country today – is expected to be fully operational by mid-2025.

READ: Drilon: Jalaur mega dam completion pivotal to address PH food security

According to Marcos, the project is seen to benefit around 25,000 farmers in its 30,000-hectare service area with uninterrupted supply of irrigation water. He also said that the project is anticipated to provide the commercial and industrial bulk water requirements of Iloilo City and neighboring municipalities.

The President further noted that Jalaur River Multipurpose Project II  is likewise estimated to increase annual rice production in Western Visayas by 160,000 metric tons and generate 6.6 megawatts of hydroelectric power supplementing the electricity 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,” Marcos said.

“This should further boost the development in the agricultural sector, as well as the local economy of the entire region,” he also said.