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DevCom | Jalaur River: Where the Life of Panay Flows
The Construction of the Largest Dam outside Luzon
WRITTEN BY MDPN. JOHN ROVIC LOPEZ
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Like any other farmer, his day starts even before the rooster crows. But as he gets up, he knows this early September morning will be different. Cracked soil, dry ponds, and an anticipated decline in his crop harvest—the drought season warmly greets him. Nono Latoza still considers himself fortunate that after his years of painstaking work as an electrician and as a farmer, he now owns the 1.75 hectares of land he tills intended for rice fields alone. The richness of the soil has pro- vided him and his family a source of income and food for over 30 years now. Several of his children have already graduated with respective degrees, and the family has been self-sufficient in food as their livestock has also flourished. His biggest setback is always the lack of water resources to irrigate his farmlands and supply water to his animals. That’s why in dry seasons when his harvest is always at stake, he can feel the common struggle of almost all Filipino farmers.
Nono’s usual harvest of 70-100 sacks of rice is often reduced to only about 30 sacks, depending on how bad the dry season gets. The two culprits to be blamed for this huge loss in Nono’s harvest are the drought and the lack of water supply. The former can be addressed through long-term mitigation. The latter, however, can be alleviated through development programs like irrigation projects.
A much-needed project
It was in February 2019 when the construction of a multi-purpose utilization of the Jalaur River commenced at Calinog, Iloilo. It was the start of bringing to life the plans that were envisioned for the Jalaur River—the second largest river system on Panay Island.
The Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) is the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) flagship project in Western Visayas. It is the first large-scale water reservoir to be constructed outside Luzon. The project primarily aims to provide bulk water supply, hydroelectric power, eco-tourism, and yearround irrigation to 25 different municipalities in the Province of Iloilo.
For about 30 years, the phase II of this project waited to be undertaken. The first phase was intended for the rehabilitation of the existing irrigation systems that were completed in 1983. Its construction was under the provisions of RA 2651, passed in 1960. The second phase, however, began its construction as the Korean Government funded this Php 11.2 billion project under the contract of Daewoo Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd. The funding of this project was taken care of by the Korea Export-Import Bank through an Php 8.9 billion loan with a counterpart from the Philippine government of Php 2.2 billion. The second stage of its construction involves three (3) components: irrigation development, environmental and watershed management, and institutional development.
ARTIST’S PERSPECTIVE. The Php. II.2- billion Jalaur River Multi-purpose Project II in Calinog, Iloilo.
Photo Courtesy of NIA JRMP II
A flow of hope
Nono Latoza’s 1.7 hectares of farmland will be part of the expected 31,840 hectares of farmland in Iloilo to be provided with year-round irrigation once the multi-project is complete. And he is just one of the 24,000 farmers expected to benefit from the project. “The drought is really taking a toll on our livelihood. When there is no rain, our only source of water irrigation is our fishpond. But that also means taking the water supply from our fish like tilapia and pantat,” Nono said. With problems like this, rice production is always the most affected. With the help of the water irrigation of this dam, the annual production of rice is said to be expected to increase from 140,000 to 300,000 metric tons. This will sustain the region’s rice self-sufficiency target and contribute to the country’s rice production target of 7.6%. Farmers like Nono hope for the project to answer their call for sustenance, not only to provide water for their farmlands, but also for their daily consumption. Far-flung communities in mountainous areas of the province often face the same dilemma—lack of water supply. Upon the completion of this project, 86 million liters of bulk water per day is expected to be supplied to the targeted 25 towns, including Passi and Iloilo City. The project would also provide an additional supply of good-quality potable water for domestic and industrial consumption in the service areas of the Metro Iloilo Water District. This water supply is said to be sustained even for the next 50–75 years. 6.6 megawatts of hydroelectric power supply is also expected to be generated once the construction is complete. The ample water and power supply will be immensely beneficial communities where access to water is scarce. In addition, the Jalaur river basin has the highest annual flow in the province and has been responsible for several floodings and overflows in the past, destroying crops, poultry, and property. This is also one of the major environmental concerns that the dam project hopes to address. It would further aid current efforts towards flooding mitigation provided under the Iloilo Flood Control Program. Selected dams or reservoir areas are also expected to double as eco-tourism destinations.
An economic game changer
According to the Department of Agriculture, the project would benefit livelihood opportunities from inland fisheries and tourism. As the construction progresses, another 17,000 new jobs will be created, amounting to P1.3 billion in basic wages per year. Junmar, Nono Latoza’s third child, is one of those who will benefit from the project’s job provisions. He provides for his own family from the profit earned as an electrician on-site.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and a two-week work stoppage due to an outbreak among workers and consultants, construction continues to gain momentum. The National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) is optimistic about completing the project as planned by early 2023 as the project’s implementation is reported to be still ahead of its target, with an over-all physical accomplishment of 6.11% more than its target. For many years, the Jalaur river system has already become a seemingly endless ventricle, pumping life all throughout the heart of Panay. Its main purpose, which is to provide for the inhabitants of the island, is empowered more by programs like this multi-purpose project. Nearing its full completion, the Jalaur River Multi-purpose Project boosts the hopes of many people, especially farmers in the province. For Nono Latoza, this is an answer to their prolonged plea to address the crucial agricultural problem of drought. Once the project is completed, what awaits ahead of them is a brighter day with showers of abundance from the very mouth of Panay’s lifeline.
