ILOILO – The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic hasn’t stopped the construction of the P11.2-billion Jalaur River Multipurpose Project – Stage II (JRMP II) in Calinog town. It was 37.83 percent complete as of end-March this year.
Citing the report of the JRMP II Project Monitoring Office (PMO), National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region 6 information officer Steve Cordero said the physical project completion is ahead by 6.11 percent against its 31.71 percent target.
NIA is the chief implementing agency of the project.
“Given the progress of our contractors, we are confident of reaching our target to complete the project by the first quarter of 2023,” Cordero said.
The project contractors, he said, were coping well with the minor delays due to restrictions imposed by the government in line with the pandemic.
Work is ongoing at the Jalaur high dam, afterbay dam, and Alibunan river catch dam for irrigation development.
Construction of canals and siphons in the towns of Calinog, Lambunao, Janiuay, and Cabatuan for the 81-kilometer high line canal that will traverse nine towns of Iloilo province is also underway as part of the mega dam project.
Contractor Daewoo Engineering and Construction is also working on the foundation of the 109-meter Jalaur high dam that will serve as an impounding dam of the project.
The development of the resettlement site for 35 houses in Barangay Cahigon, Calinog is also ongoing.
The project is in partnership with the National Housing Authority (NHA) for Indigenous People’s (IPs).
Cordero said NIA issued directives to ensure that health protocols are observed while construction is ongoing.
A multi-partite monitoring team is also looking into the health activities of contractors, including compliance with health protocols.
Following the confirmation of COVID-19 infections at the Daewoo project site, NIA ordered the contractor to comply with the temporary closure and work stoppage issued by the local government of Calinog.
JRMP II, the biggest irrigation project outside Luzon, is expected to provide irrigation to 31,840 hectares of farmlands in Iloilo; generate 6.6-megawatt hydroelectric power and 86 million liters per day bulk water supply for Iloilo province and city; generate eco-cultural tourism opportunities; and mitigate flooding in Calinog and nearby towns.
Eighty percent of the cost of the JRMP II is funded by the government of South Korea through a tied loan with the Economic Development Cooperation Fund. (PNA/PN)
