Iloilo dams seen to boost Western Visayas rice production

MANILA, Philippines — The newly inaugurated dams under the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) in Iloilo is expected to increase annual rice production in Western Visayas by 160,000 tons, President Marcos said yesterday.

Marcos led the inauguration of the dams in Calinog town.

The JRMP II is the largest water reservoir project of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) outside Luzon.

“This should boost further the development in the agricultural sector as well as the local economy of the entire region,” Marcos said.

The second phase of the project, amounting to almost P20 billion, is being funded by South Korea through its official development assistance.

The project has three key components: irrigation development, environmental and watershed management, and institutional development.

The canal system of the JRMP II spans over 80 kilometers and includes three dams and a hydroelectric power plant.

Marcos said a portion of the water from the reservoir would be used to supply the commercial and industrial needs of Iloilo City and nearby municipalities.

The project is targeted to be finished and operational by the end of 2025.