Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. on February 14, 2024, inspected the nearly-complete second phase of the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project (JRMP), a P19.7-billion infrastructure development project of the National Irrigation Administration that will increase rice production and benefit 25,000 farmers and 4,500 indigenous people in Iloilo province.
“This project, which we expect to complete within the year and be fully operational by mid-2025, will greatly contribute to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s vision of increasing food production and helping our farmers have better lives,” said Sec. Tiu Laurel.
JRMP II, which will benefit 23 towns and 2 cities in Iloilo, will irrigate 9,500 hectares of rainfed farms on top the existing 22,340 hectares, thus increasing rice output by 71 percent to 338,000 metric tons. Aside from providing water supply to rained farms, JRMP II also has a 6.6-megaWatt power generation, bulk water, fishery, tourism, flood control, housing for indigenous people, and carbon sequestration components.
The watershed and buffer zone management of JRMP II involves 17,290 hectares that will be reforested and sequester carbon dioxide to generate carbon credits that could be sold and help fund other projects.
“A product of collaboration among 28 national agencies and local government units, this multiyear infrastructure development is proof of what we can achieve as a people if we stay united and focused,” Sec. Tiu Laurel said.
“We also appreciate the project funding provided by government of South Korea, through the Korea Eximbank and the Economic Development Cooperation Fund of Korea. The financing that the South Korean government allowed NIA to pursue the second phase of this important project, which actually started in the early 1960s, years before I was born,” the agriculture chief added.
The Jalaur River Basin is the second largest river basin in Panay Island, which provides irrigation to Iloilo that has been dubbed the food basket and rice granary of Western Visayas.
Iloilo emerged in 2023 as the fifth largest rice producer—behind Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Pangasinan and Cagayan—with total output of 1.07 million metric tons from 1.02 million metric tons in 2022. Total palay output last year hit a record high 20.06 million metric tons.
During his visit to Iloilo, Sec. Tiu Laurel attended the 1,000th regular board meeting of the NIA, which was also attended by NIA administrator Eddie Guillen and the agency’s top management.
He said during the board meeting that JRMP II “serves as a testament to NIA’s commitment to advancing agricultural innovation and enhancing rural livelihood.”
The canal system of JRMP II extends 80 kilometers and involves three dams and a hydroelectric power plant. By end-January, the overall physical accomplishment is already at 74 percent while the financial accomplishment is at 70 percent. ###
