President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has approved the P5.961 billion for completion of the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project (JRMP) Stage II, an infrastructure poised to transform the province’s agriculture sector.
In a radio interview, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the budget for the megadam project was already included in the 2026 General Appropriations Bill and is awaiting approval by the Senate. The additional funding covers the construction of the High Line Canal and main lateral canals.
Defensor has personally met with DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman at the DBM Central Office in Manila yesterday, November 5 and last July 10 to follow up the status of his request for the additional funding.
Governor Defensor also wrote Pangandaman on July 8 and October 27 relative to his funding request where he outlined the necessity of the completion of the Jalaur dam which will be a critical source of water in the city and province of Iloilo.
“The completion of JRMP II remains a vital priority for the Province of Iloilo and the entire Western Visayas region, as it will significantly enhance irrigation coverage, ensure water security, and boost agricultural productivity and resilience among our farmers,” the governor said.
Defensor stressed that the completion of the JRMP II is a priority of President Marcos who led its inauguration last July 16, 2024 in the municipality of Calinog.
The P19.7 billion Jalaur dam is the biggest irrigation project outside of Luzon. Once completed, it is expected to irrigate over 30,000 hectares of farmland and will benefit around 25,000 farmers.
As of June 2024, the project is already 75.51 percent completed, according to the National Irrigation Administration.
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