ILOILO – “Waay na sang mas importante pa sa bugas.”
Nothing is more important than rice, according to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. as he expressed concern over food security in the province.
In the next three years, the provincial government will work to make Iloilo a top rice producer again, according to Defensor.
“We want to be more competitive in rice production. We used to be No. 1. We are now No. 5 in the whole country,” the governor said.
He counts on the support of the national government through the Department of Agriculture Region 6.
“Let’s us maximize our irrigation potential. Our concrete target is to increase rice production to better manage the price,” said Defensor.
The Jalaur River Multipurpose Project (JRMP) Stage II, when completed, will complement the provincial government’s rice production goal, he added.
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Region 6 which implements the construction of the P11.2-billion JRMP II in Calinog, Iloilo is hopeful of completing it by December 2023.
“We join the national government and the President as secretary of Agriculture (to ensure food security). Waay na sang mas importante pa sa bugas,” said Defensor.
With a capacity to augment agricultural production and stimulate agri-industrial activities not only in Western Visayas but throughout the country, JRMP II is deemed a game changer.
When completed, JRMP II would also be the biggest dam outside Luzon.
JRMP II is expected to increase Iloilo’s annual production of rice to 300,000 metric tons from 140,000 metric tons, thereby contributing to the country’s rice production target of 7.6 percent.
JRMP II was first implemented in 1960s after the fourth Congress passed Republic Act 2651 which provided for the construction of the JRMP in Iloilo. Its first phase was completed in the 1980s but its second phase was derailed due to lack of funds.
JRMP II includes the construction of a 109-meter Jalaur high dam, 38.5-meter afterbay dam, 10-meter Alibunan catch dam, 80.74-kilometer high line canal; generation of new areas for irrigation; and rehabilitation of existing irrigation system./PN