ILOILO CITY – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has reported that the P11.2-billion mega dam in Calinog, Iloilo is 38 percent complete.
The NIA said the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project-Stage II (JRMP-II) has surpassed its quarterly target for the first quarter of 2021 by 6.11 percent.
“At this rate, NIA is optimistic that the project will be completed as planned by 2023,” said Steve Cordero, JRMP-II spokesperson.
Works include the foundation for the 109-meter Jalaur High Dam, the biggest of the three dams that will be built under JRMP-II.
The 10.65-meter downstream coffer dam is also being constructed to ensure the construction site for the Jalaur High Dam will be dry and suitable for construction.
Others under construction are the foundations for the afterbay dam and the 10-meter Alibunan River Catch Dam which is the third dam of JRMP-II.
Cordero said the 37.83 percent accomplishment rate was prior to the temporary shutdown of construction work after COVID-19 infected workers of Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd., the South Korean contractor.
The JRMP-II which was lobbied by Ilonggo Sen. Franklin Drilon has been touted as the flagship program of NIA in the Visayas and will help boost the farming industry of Iloilo while providing potable water supply.
JRMP-II has secured a loan of P9 billion from the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Eximbank).