ILOILO CITY – The on-going construction of the P11.2-billion mega dam project in Iloilo province has reached an almost halfway mark, according to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
The Jalaur River Multipurpose Project-Stage II (JRMP-II) located in Calinog town has a 47. 37-percent accomplishment rate.
The JRMP-II is still accomplishing its target despite setbacks posed by COVID-19 pandemic. To recall, construction was temporarily shut down several times after COVID-19 infected workers of Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd., the South Korean contractor.
“The construction of the reservoir dam known as Jalaur High Damhas already reached 33.1 meters high out of its 109 meters structural height,” said Steve Cordero, JRMP-II spokesperson.
“The largest of the three dams, it will store an estimated 250.70 million cubic meters of water that will be utilized for irrigation, hydropower, potable water supply, inland fishery, and eco-tourism purposes,” said Cordero.
The regulating dam known as the Jalaur Afterbay Dam is almost halfway of its target at 17 meters high out of its 38.5 meters structural height. It is expected to be finished by the first quarter of 2023.
The JRMP-II, which is lobbied by Ilonggo Senator 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).