sible because it is critical to achieving or overcoming the challenges that we face, particularly food security and addressing the inflation or the high prices,” Drilon said in a press conference.

According to Drilon, operating the dams is vital to addressing nutrition issues in the community, which is also one of the important agendas of the Marcos administration, and for Iloilo to regain the “rice granary” title.

“Iloilo used to be the rice granary of the country. Today, we no longer enjoy the status. But once the dams are completed and fully functional, from the present 100,040 metric tons of palay, it would increase to 300,000 metric tons per year. Therefore, not only will we be sufficient, but we will also be an exporting province,” he stressed.

NIA-6 acting manager and JRMP II project manager, Engr. Jonel B. Borres, on the other hand, said that they want to invite Marcos once the project is completed in December 2024, noting that the agency has already planned to construct a helipad in the area so that the President can easily visit the site.

pected to store a volume of water estimated at 250.70 million cubic meters, is already 106 meters high out of its structural height of 109 meters. Located in Barangays Agcalaga and Alibunan in the Municipality of Calinog, the High Dam will ensure year-round irrigation water supply to 31,840 hectares of farmlands in the Province of Iloilo.

The Jalaur Afterbay Dam, which is the regulating dam of the project, is substantially completed at 38.5 meters high, while works are also ongoing in the towns of Calinog, Lambunao, Janiuay, and Cabatuan for the 80-kilometer High Line Canal, which will serve as a conveyance structure connecting the Jalaur Afterbay Dam to the main and lateral canals.

The Project Management Office (PMO), on the other hand, ensured the construction of the JRMP II Indigenous Peoples (IP) Housing is not being left behind, noting that the housing project, which will serve as the relocation site of the affected IP communities, is already 95 percent complete.

Meanwhile, the JRMP II is expected to provide irrigation to 31,840 hectares of farmland in Iloilo, generate 6.6 megawatts of hydroelectric power and 86 million liters per day of bulk water supply for the province and city of Iloilo, generate eco-cultural tourism opportunities, and mitigate flooding in Calinog and nearby towns once completed.

It is also projected to expand the production areas of sugarcane and other crops and will increase the annual production of rice in Iloilo to around 338,874 metric tons, which is 71.54 percent higher than its current production of 197,545 MT. (AAL/JNH/PIA Iloilo)