ILOILO Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. continues to support the P11.2 billion Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage (JRMP) II at Calinog town despite opposition from various militant groups.
“This is the only project that can give us absolute assurance that the city and province of Iloilo can have sufficient and safe potable water,” said Defensor during the second stakeholder’s forum and memorandum of agreement signing held at the Provincial Capitol on Friday.
“Please understand how important this project first before you succumbed to false information that aims to discredit the dam,” he said.
JRMP II was envisioned in the 1960’s to provide multi-purpose utilization of water for irrigation, hydro-electric power and domestic supply to Iloilo.
The Philippines was only able to secure a loan for the project in 2011 under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III and through the efforts of Ilonggo Senator Franklin Drilon.
JRMP II, the biggest dam outside Luzon, is fuelled by P8.9 billion loan from Korean Exim Bank and P2.2 billion appropriation from the National Government.
JRMP II consists of the construction of three dams, rehabilitation and modernization of National Irrigation System, construction of 81-kilometer highline canal, establishment of new areas for irrigation and 6.6-megawatt power plant, and potable water supply connection.
According to Engr. Gerardo Corsiga, the Regional Manager of the National Irrigation Administration Region 6, the project can deliver 86,000 cubic meters of potable water to Iloilo City and surrounding municipalities.
The dam can also increase rice production from 142,000 to 300,000 metric tons (MT) yearly, and can generate 17,000 labor force during the construction phase and improves flood prevention. (PIO)