By BETHEENA UNITE
President Marcos said the largest water reservoir in Visayas is a symbol of the Philippines' and South Korea's strong friendship and shared desire for development.
Marcos said this during the inauguration of the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project - Stage II (JRMP-II) in Calinog, Iloilo on Tuesday, July 16.
"Indeed, this venture is not only a symbol of our strong friendship and our long-standing ties, but also our reminder of a shared desire for growth and for development," he said.
The President thanked the South Korean government for partnering with the Philippines in completing the project, which was made more than 40 years after the completion of its first stage in 1982.
"For this, my utmost gratitude goes to the Government of South Korea, which has generously partnered with us in this and many other very grand projects that we are undertaking in the Philippines," Marcos said.
South Korea helped in the realization of the P19.70-billion project through its Official Development Assistance-Economic Development Cooperation Fund.
As of June 2024, the JRMP II has an overall accomplishment rate of 75.51 percent with three dams fully completed and 49.05 kilometers of line canal constructed.
The project is targeted to be completed and operational by the end of 2025.
Once operational, the JRMP-II is seen to expand National Irrigation Administration's (NIA) irrigation service area by 9,500 hectares of rain-fed agricultural land on top of the existing 22,340 hectares being serviced by the agency.
The project is composed of three major components: irrigation development, environmental and watershed management, and institutional development.
It also includes a 109-meter high dam, a 38.5-meter afterbay dam and an 80.74-kilometer high line canal capable of providing several benefits like irrigation, bulk water supply, hydroelectric power, inland fishery and eco-tourism, among others.
Around 25,000 farmers from across 23 towns and two cities in Iloilo will benefit while a boost in rice production is anticipated to soar at an estimated 338,874 metric tons per year.
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