To further boost local palay (unhusked rice) yield and help ensure food security, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) on Friday vowed to fast-track the completion of the second phase of the Jalaur dam project in Iloilo province.

This is in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to prioritize food affordability and security for Filipinos.

The PHP19.698 billion Jalaur River Multipurpose Project – Stage II (JRMP-II), the first large-scale reservoir project outside Luzon, covers the construction of a 109-meter-high dam, a 38-meter afterbay dam across the Jalaur River, and a catch dam in Alibunan River in Calinog town.

NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen told the Philippine News Agency that they can complete the project next year once they have secured the additional budget of PHP3 billion.

“Tapos namin lahat iyan kung i-release nila this year iyong remaining na PHP3 billion. Ideal dapat mga last quarter, until man lang sana October, timing para mapa-bid namin (We can finish it all once they release the remaining PHP3 billion. The ideal [release] would be last quarter, until October, just in time for our bidding),” he said in a phone interview.

“Para (So that) by December or by January, ma-maximize nila iyong (they can maximize the) dry season weather,” he added, referring to around 25,000 farmers who can benefit from the dam project.

He said the additional budget may be sourced from an unprogrammed or contingency fund of the administration, subject to the approval of the National Economic and Development Authority and release of the Department of Budget and Management.

The JRMP-II is expected to increase the production of farmers in Iloilo to an annual yield of around 320,000 metric tons (MT) or 320 million kilograms of palay, equivalent to 160,000 MT per cropping.

“Hindi lang mag-i-increase ng cropping intensity, mag-i-increase pati iyong yield. Kaya malaking bagay ito, makakatulong sa food security natin. Dahil masisiguro natin na mas mataas ang yield ng farmers natin at mailalayo pa sa mga bagyo (We will not only increase the cropping intensity, but the yield as well. That’s why it’s very significant for our food security. Because we can be sure that our farmers will have higher yield and will be even spared from typhoons),” Guillen said.

Saved funds

Guillen, meanwhile, said the NIA saved funds after it turned down the proposed design changes from its Korean contractor, Daewoo Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd.

“Around PHP24 billion pa para matapos. Pero ayaw ko iyon, hindi ako pumayag kasi wala naman magiging additional area na ma-generate iyong ma-irrigate (just to be completed. But I don’t want that. I did not allow it because there’s no additional area for irrigation),” Guillen said.

“Parang gumastos ng additional PHP24 billion pero wala naman additional na pakinabang iyong farmers natin (It seems like you have spent additional PHP24 billion without additional benefit to farmers),” he said, citing the proposed increase in the slope of the high line canal under the JRMP-II.

To date, the NIA has reported a 76.94-percent completion of the construction of three dams and a 16-kilometer-high line canal under the contract with Daewoo.

In total, the target construction of the 80.7-km high line canal will be crucial for annual irrigation, bulk water supply, hydroelectric power and eco-tourism, among others.

The JRMP-II, which commenced in 2012, was funded through a grant from the South Korean government and equity from the Philippine government. (PNA)