NIA gives go-signal for construction of P11.2-B mega dam in Iloilo

Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. has been given the green light to proceed with the construction of the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project (JRMP) II in Calinog, Iloilo.

National Irrigation Administration (NIA) administrator Ricardo Visaya said the Notice to Proceed (NTP) was issued to the Korean firm on November 29, 2018.

Visaya was in Iloilo on Monday, Dec. 3, to grace the inauguration of the Sta. Barbara River Irrigation System (SBRIS).

“Our contractor, Daewoo, now has the NTP. That means they can now proceed with the construction,” he told the media.

The date for the groundbreaking of the P11.2-billion JRMP II is still being finalized.

“Unfortunately, hindi pa sya this year. Inaayos pa natin para si President Duterte mismo ang maglead ng groundbreaking. Early next year siguro,” Visaya said.

Last Sept. 3, NIA and Daewoo signed the contract for the construction of the project.

The mega dam is expected to improve the agricultural production not only in Iloilo but in the whole Western Visayas region.

“Once completed, the first large-scale reservoir dam outside of Luzon will provide uninterrupted irrigation water supply to 32,000 hectares of farmland, benefit more than 783,000 farmers and increase annual production of rice to 300,000 metric tons from 140,000 in Iloilo,” said Ilonggo Senator Franklin Drilon, who initiated the project in April 2011.

The JRMP II includes the construction of 109-meter Jalaur high dam, 38.5-meter afterbay dam, 10-meter Alibunan catch dam, 80.74-kilometer high line canal; generation of new areas for irrigation; and rehabilitation of existing irrigation system.

SOURCE: Iloilo Metropolitan Times

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