NEDA secretary hopeful of JRMP II completion

NIA-6 Project Management Office head Engineer Jonel B. Borres (left) briefs NEDA officials led by Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan (second from left) during their visit at the Jalaur megadam project in Calinog, Iloilo on April 27. (NIA-JRMP-II photo)

Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) is looking forward to the completion of the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II).

“I am pleased to hear about significant developments and I’m really looking forward to the completion of this project. You know one of the President’s priorities, this administration’s priority, is food security and raising production. Raising agricultural productivity is key to achieving our transformation in the agricultural sector and also the key to production efforts,” said Secretary Balisacan.

Balisacan emphasized that operationalization of the JRMP II will support the rice self-sufficiency target of the country as well as boost the agricultural sector eventually leading to the achievement of the government’s goal for agricultural development.

He further said that dams are important in the country’s development thus ensuring its integrity is necessary that is why he appreciates the efforts of the NIA, the consultants, and the contractor for the implementation of the JRMP II.

Joining Secretary Balisacan was Undersecretary Carlos Bernardo O. Abad Santos who first visited the project sites in March 2023 and expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the people behind the implementation of the JRMP II.

They were welcomed by the Project Management Office (PMO) headed by Engineer Jonel B. Borres.

NEDA executives visited the project sites in Calinog, Iloilo on April 27, 2023. (JP Flordalie Padillo)