Iloilo megadam project enables farmers to plant rice for third cropping
By Tara Yap
ONE of the three major dams under the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project-Stage II (JRMP-II) in Calinog, Iloilo. (Tara Yap)
ILOILO CITY—Despite being incomplete, the megadam project in Iloilo province has started providing water for farmlands and enabled the planting of rice for a third cropping.
The Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project-Stage II (JRMP-II) of the National Irrigation Administration-6 has started delivering water to 149 farmers in Calinog town.
Farmers under the AGBATO Calinog Irrigators Association Inc. relied on rainwater but were able to get partial irrigation water from the JRMP-II Zone 1 Main Canal 2.
With a third cropping, farmers are able to boost rice production and incomes.
The JRMP-II has completed the construction of three major dams and reservoirs but remaining works include the 80-kilometer-high line canal and other pertinent structures.
NIA-6 Regional Manager Jonel Borres said the JRMP-II is on its final stretch with an accomplishment rating of 86.16 percent as of June.
With the last stretch of construction, the JRMP-II is augmenting irrigation water to 10,336 hectares of farmland. Under the existing National Irrigation Systems (NIS) in Iloilo, it has benefited more than 5,400 farmers.