Marcos: Water reservoir project in Iloilo to boost rice production in Region VI

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said the largest water reservoir project in Iloilo province could help boost rice production in Region VI by 160,000 metric tons.

Marcos graced the inauguration of the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage II Dams held at Calinog, Iloilo.

In his speech, the President said the P20 billion project of the National Irrigation Administration could benefit more than 30,000 hectares of service area and around 25,000 farmers as this will provide uninterrupted supply of irrigation water.

''This should boost further the development in the agricultural sector as well as the local economy of the entire region,'' Marcos said.

''In fact, it is estimated to help increase annual rice production in Region 6 by 160,000 metric tons, which is almost 20 percent of the region’s annual rice requirement,'' he added.

Marcos also said a portion of the water from the High Dam’s reservoir, or around 86 million liters per day, would be utilized to supply the commercial and industrial bulk water requirements of Iloilo City as well as its neighboring municipalities.

Aside from that, around 6.6 megawatts of hydroelectric power will be generated to supplement the power supply in Panay Island.

According to Marcos, the project will also develop inland fishery, floating solar energy systems, and eco-cultural tourism.

''Our water development projects would not just bring irrigation or potable water to our people, but will also help address flooding, produce food, generate electricity, and develop tourism activities,'' Marcos said.

''The JRMP II will definitely bring many benefits to the people of Iloilo in the coming years,'' he added.

Spearheaded by NIA, the JRMP II is the first large-scale water reservoir considered as one of the government’s flagship projects in Western Visayas.

It modernizes the existing National Irrigation Systems (NIS) in Iloilo and is seen to contribute immensely to the country’s food production and promote the welfare of Filipino farmers.

It is seen to expand NIA’s irrigation service area by 9,500 hectares of rain-fed agricultural land on top of the existing 22,340 hectares being serviced by the agency. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News