ROXAS CITY, Capiz — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. received warm appreciation from Ilonggos as he led the opening of the dam gates during the inauguration of the mega dams of the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II on July 16 in Calinog, Iloilo Province.
“Mr. President, thank you very much for your full support of this project and for seeing that we achieve its full realization,” said Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr.
Gov. Defensor also thanked, among others, former Senator Franklin M. Drilon for championing the project in Congress for 15 years to bring it to its full fruition.
Former Sen. Drilon also thanked PBBM for its support and commitment to finishing the project, which is expected to boost economic opportunities in Panay Island.
As the JRMP II will augment irrigation to the five existing National Irrigation Systems (NIS) with a combined service area of 22,340 hectares and 18,000 farmer-beneficiaries, Gov. Defensor emphasized that the JRMP II will realize the full potential of the province in agriculture.
The province of Iloilo is the major source of palay in the region, accounting for 43 percent of the total regional rice production, followed by the provinces of Negros Occidental and Capiz with 20 percent and 16 percent, respectively, based on the Department of Agriculture Region 6’s Agricultural Performance report in 2021.
With current implementation progress, the JRMP II is expected to operate by the end of 2025 and will usher in agri-based development in the province of Iloilo and the entire region. (PIA 6)
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. during the inauguration of the mega dams of the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II on July 16, in Calinog, Iloilo Province.