Aquino: 1 of 3 Iloilo dams to be finished by 2016

ILOILO CITY, Philippines—President Aquino has assured the public that one of the three dams of a controversial P11.2-megadam project in Iloilo City would be completed when his term of office ends in June next year.

Speaking to reporters during his visit to Iloilo City last week, the President said that while the completion of the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project II (JRMP II) would go beyond his term, the Alibunan catchment dam would be finished by that time.

“I would want to do that. But it’s a four-year project. Obviously, less than 390 days remaining will not suffice to complete the project,” the President said.

He said the government is also waiting approval from the South Korean government through its Export-Import (Exim) Bank’s Economic Cooperation Fund.  The project is funded by a $203-loan from the Eximbank with a counterpart fund from the Philippine government amounting to P2.2 billion.

JRMP II is the second of a two-stage project aimed at the multipurpose use of water of the Jalaur River, one of the major rivers of Panay. The project was implemented after the passing of Republic Act No. 2651 in 1960.

It involves the construction of three dams (reservoir, afterbay and catch dams), a 6.6-megawatt hydropower plant and an 81-kilometer highline canal.

The President stressed that the JRMP II is a “worthwhile project” based on studies not only of the Philippine government but also that of South Korea.

“I don’t see how anybody would succeed in (suddenly stopping) the project … It’s hard to explain why we would deprive (the people) a very, very good project,” the President said.

Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo has voiced his conditional support to a controversial P11.2 megadam project in Calinog town in Iloilo.