Iloilo’s Jalaur River Project: A Leap Towards Rice Self-Sufficiency

The Philippines is set to witness a significant boost in its rice production capabilities with the nearing completion of the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project (JRMP) Stage 2 in Iloilo province. With an investment of P19.7 billion, this initiative marks the first large-scale water reservoir constructed outside Luzon and is anticipated to be a pivotal step towards achieving rice self-sufficiency in the country by mid-2025.

As of January, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) reported that the project’s physical progress stood at 74 percent, with financial accomplishment at 70 percent. The project, initially estimated at P13.4 billion, underwent adjustments in budget, scope, and design after the National Economic and Development Authority approved various changes in July 2023, reflecting the project’s evolving needs and aspirations.

Funded by South Korea through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund of the Export-Import Bank of Korea, the JRMP Stage 2 is expected to complete within the year and become fully operational by mid-2025. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized the project’s significance in enhancing food production and elevating farmers’ livelihoods.

The country’s rice self-sufficiency level has seen a decline over the past three years, dropping to 77 percent in 2022 from 85 percent in 2020. However, through initiatives like the Masagana program, the Department of Agriculture aims to reach a 97 percent self-sufficiency rate by 2028.

The JRMP Stage 2 is designed not only to irrigate 9,500 hectares of rainfed farms, adding to the existing 22,340 hectares, but also to contribute to a 71 percent increase in rice output, projecting an additional 338,000 metric tons of rice. Beyond irrigation, the project encompasses power generation, bulk water supply, fisheries, tourism, flood control, housing for indigenous communities, and carbon sequestration efforts.

The project features an extensive canal system, three dams, and a hydroelectric power plant, stretching across 80 kilometers. Its watershed and buffer zone management plan includes the reforestation of 17,290 hectares, which will absorb carbon dioxide and generate carbon credits. These credits can then be sold to fund further developmental projects.

Situated in the Jalaur River Basin, the second-largest river basin in Panay Island, the JRMP Stage 2 promises to enrich Iloilo, known as the food basket and rice granary of Western Visayas. Approximately 25,000 farmers and 4,500 indigenous people across 23 towns and two cities in Iloilo stand to benefit from this landmark project.

The Jalaur River Multipurpose Project epitomizes the government’s commitment to sustainable development, food security, and economic growth, setting a new standard for large-scale agricultural infrastructure in the Philippines.