ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Jalaur Megadam, a multibillion-peso mega-dam project located in the town of Calinog, Iloilo Province is on schedule for completion by 2023 despite a two-week work stoppage due to an outbreak of COVID-19 among workers and consultants.
The project is ahead of its target of 31.72% by 6.11% as of March 31, 2021, this is according to Jonel Borres the acting project manager of the Jalaur Multipurpose Project Stage II (JRMP II).
The project is composed of three (3) dams, a 6.6-megawatt hydropower plant, and an 81-kilometer high line canal. Last year, Daewoo Engineering and Construction, a Koren contractor, finished the 310-meter diversion tunnel and 30.21-meter upstream cofferdam.
Work was suspended from April 14 to 28. 2021 due to an outbreak at the construction area, when 75 personnel, including Korean consultants, were infected with COVID-19. The municipal government of Calinog allowed the limited resumption of work from April 29 to May 2 pending the completion of quarantine of those infected. Full operation resumed on May 3.
Tagged as a “game changer” for Western Visayas, by Senators Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan, and Cynthia Villar. As they cited the expected boost in agricultural production because of enhanced and expanded irrigation, increased water, and electric supply.
Agricultural production was expected to increase by 141,000 metric tons, or by 71%, once the megadam becomes operational, Borres said.
The project was funded by a $203-million loan agreement with the South Korean government through Korea Eximbank. The counterpart fund from the Philippine government amounted to P2.2 billion. After a 6-year delay the construction began last April 10, 2019 due to opposition from environmental and indigenous peoples groups.
Additional Report: Inquirer.net
Photo Courtesy: panaynews.net, JRMP,
