Jalaur dam holds typhoon floods as Marcos approves completion boost

ILOILO CITY— The Jalaur High Dam proved its mettle during Typhoon Tino, holding back a staggering 19.5 million cubic meters of water — enough to fill 7,800 Olympic-sized swimming pools — and sparing downstream towns like Calinog from catastrophic flooding. Now, the landmark Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) is getting a turbo boost from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration to ensure it’s completed on time.

On 4 November, the Economy and Development Council (EDC), chaired by the President, approved the project’s restructuring request and released an additional P5.96 billion to finish the irrigation system. The remaining works include highline and main canals, plus 55.3 kilometers of redesigned lateral canals to deliver water more efficiently to Iloilo’s farmlands.

“With the support of the President and our development partners, we are committed to fast-tracking JRMP II,” said NIA Region 6 Director and project manager Engr. Jonel Borres. “This project isn’t just concrete and steel — it’s a lifeline for farmers, communities, and the future of agriculture in Iloilo.”

Full completion is now targeted by December 2027, with construction set to wrap by June. The project’s loan validity has also been extended to November 2026 to accommodate remaining payments and formal closure.

The ambitious plan, initiated in June 2024 under NIA Administrator Engr. Eduardo Eddie Guillen, went through a rigorous review and gained endorsements from key agencies, including the Regional Development Council 6, the Infrastructure Development Committee, the Iloilo provincial government, the NIA Board, and the Executive Secretary’s office.

Beyond irrigation, JRMP II has already demonstrated its flood-control prowess, cementing its role as a cornerstone of climate resilience and agricultural sustainability in Western Visayas.