PHL TO IMPLEMENT LARGEST KOREA EDCF-FUNDED PROJECT WORLDWIDE
MANILA—The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said the Philippine government is set to implement Phase II of the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project, an irrigation project in Iloilo tagged to be the largest Korea Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF)-supported project worldwide to date.
“The Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Phase II is one of the first batch of projects and biggest of the three irrigation projects approved by the NEDA Board this year. It is a groundbreaking venture in terms of scale and importance in facilitating the increase in food production and ensuring food security in the country,” said NEDA Deputy Director-General Rolando G. Tungpalan who led the wrap-up meeting and signing of the Minutes of Discussion (MOD) with officials of the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea EximBank) and other Philippine government officials on April 20, 2012.
Out of the project’s total approved cost of PhP11.21 billion, a proposed PhP8.95 billion will be financed through an official development assistance (ODA) loan from the EDCF. Implementing government agencies of the project are the Department of Agriculture (DA) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
The MOD, signed by NEDA, DA, Department of Finance, and Korea EximBank, will be the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding that will be signed on May 4, 2012 at the 45th Asian Development Bank (ADB) Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors in Manila.
The Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Phase II involves the construction of a storage dam, a high dam and reservoir across the Jalaur River. Also, other structures will be established in support of a hydro-electric power plant to be built in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo for a potential bulk water supply connection with the Metro Iloilo Water District.
Moreover, the project is expected to provide water supply to 22, 340 hectares of croplands, increase yields of palay and other crops in the area, strengthen the region’s Irrigators Associations (IAs) and enhance community organizing activities for IAs in 9,500-hectare new irrigable areas that will be created upon completion of the project.
“Hopefully, this Project will set the benchmark for other government projects in terms of speed, efficiency and, eventually, the effectiveness by which the project will be executed,” Tungpalan added.
On March 22, 2012, the NEDA Board, chaired by President Benigno S. Aquino III, approved three irrigation projects which included the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Phase II. The other two projects are the Umayam River Irrigation Project and the Irrigation Component Phase II of the Casecnan Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Project.
These three irrigation projects are expected to provide more jobs as well as strengthen infrastructure support in the agriculture sector in the regions.
MR No. 2012-030
25 April 2012
