P11.2-B Iloilo megadam project a go

An artist’s perspective of the P11.2-billion Jalaur River Multipurpose Project II in Calinog, Iloilo.
—CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

ILOILO CITY — The construction of the long-delayed P11.2-billion megadam in Iloilo is expected to start within the first quarter next year, said the project’s main proponent, Sen. Franklin Drilon.

Drilon said that legal impediments to Jalaur River Multipurpose Project (JRMP) II had been removed after Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) upheld the bidding conducted by the National Irrigation
Administration.

“We are confident that in the first quarter of next year, we can finally commence the construction of this biggest dam outside of Luzon,” Drilon said.

He said the government was awaiting the final concurrence of the Economic Development Cooperation Fund of the South Korean government before the start of construction.

The megadam, a priority infrastructure project of the
administration of former President Benigno Aquino III, is funded by a $203-million loan from South Korea. The government provided a counterpart fund amounting to P2.2 billion.

The JRMP II involves the construction of three dams (reservoir, afterbay and catch dams), a 6.6-megawatt hydro- power plant and an 81-kilometer highline canal at Jalaur River.

The project was supposed to start in 2013 but was repeatedly delayed because of a failed bidding and the court case.

Drilon said that the project was a “most important game changer” in the economic development of Iloilo.

He said this would address the decline in the agricultural sector by providing irrigation to 32,000 hectares of farmland and produce 83,000 cubic meters of potable water daily for Iloilo City.

The project is facing opposition due to concerns over its impact on the environment and tribal lands.