ILOILO CITY – After this week’s inauguration of the mega dam project in Iloilo province, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) might also start construction of the mega dam project in neighboring Capiz province by 2026.
AN aerial photo of the Panay River Basin in Capiz province. (DENR-6)
NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen announced that construction could start for the Panay River Basin Integrated Development Project (PRBIDP) in Tapaz town once the first tranche of the P20-billion is released.
Speaking on the sidelight of the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project-Stage II (JRMP-II), Guillen said preparatory works are underway for the PRBIDP.
NIA will formally start acquiring necessary permits, including the right-of-way, next year.
Once the permits are required, Guillen said the construction phase would be fast.
Under the design-build (DB) scheme, the PRBIDP can be completed within 18 months.
If the schedule goes as planned, NIA expects the PRBIDP to be completed by the end of tPresident Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s term.
The PRBIDP is among the key projects listed under the 2023-2028 Western Visayas Regional Development Plan.
The PRBIDP aims not only to irrigate 13,950 hectares farmlands of Capiz but also address widespread flooding as well as generate 18.42 megawatts (MWs) of hydroelectric power.
The PRBIDP will cover the towns of Tapaz, Jamindan, Dumalag, Sigma, Mambusao, Dao, Cuartero, Maayon, Panay, Panitan, and Pontevedra, as well as the provincial capital of Roxas City.
The PRBIDP will also benefit farmers in three Iloilo towns: Lemery, San Rafael, and Bingawan.