ILOILO CITY — After more than five years of delay, the ceremonial groundbreaking of the P11.2-billion Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Phase II (JRMP II) in Calinog, Iloilo is finally being eyed by October and completion set in late 2021.
Engr. Jonel B. Borres, division manager for engineering of the National Irrigation Administration-Western Visayas (NIA-6), said the timetable was mutually set by NIA, the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of South Korea, and the winning Korean contractor, Daewoo Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd.
The schedule was finalized following a coordination meeting among top officials of NIA, Daewoo executives, and the Korean Export-Import Bank (KEXIM Bank) on July 25, 2018 at the NIA Central Office.
During the meeting, the contract signing was also planned for the first week of September.
Mr. Borres said they are confident that the work schedule will be met provided the timeline of activities is followed.
“After the contract signing, a notice to proceed will then be issued so we could already go with the groundbreaking by October and start with the construction,” he said.
The several years of delay, according to Mr. Borres, was due to compliance with additional requirements set by the bank such as environmental and social safeguards.
The JRMP II is funded through an approved loan from the EDCF amounting to P11.212 billion.
It covers the construction of the 109-meter Jalaur high dam, 38.5-meter afterbay dam, 10-meter Alibutan catch dam, 80.74-kilometer highline canal, and its appurtenant structures. — Louine Hope U. Conserva

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