South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa cited the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) as a “game changer” as he paid a courtesy visit to Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. on Monday.
During the visit, the two officials explored strengthening bilateral cooperation between the province of Iloilo and South Korea in the areas of infrastructure, education, tourism, information technology, and manpower development, among others.
Lee also expressed his optimism about the upcoming Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge, which is also backed by the Korean government.
Defensor also revisited plans for a direct Iloilo-Seoul flight, noting that while the pandemic initially stalled the initiative, it remains a priority for regional connectivity. Iloilo is home to 500 Koreans, and the direct flight would help boost tourism and trade.
Joining Ambassador Lee during his visit are the representatives from the Philippines-Korea Economic Council and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Iloilo Chapter Inc., led by President Fulbert Woo.
Over the weekend, the envoy visited the dam project as part of a high-level site inspection.
The JRMP II is funded under the official development assistance (ODA) from the government of South Korea through the Korea EximBank.
The Korean envoy’s last visit was during the project inauguration on July 16, 2024, National Irrigation Administration Institutional Development Division officer-in-charge Steve Cordero said in a phone interview.
“He was amazed by the structure. According to him, he takes pride in completing the project because he was aware that the project had been a dream for many Ilonggos given that the law that provided for its construction was passed in 1960,” Cordero said.
He said the ambassador was happy that their government was a partner in the implementation of the dream project.
“He pointed out that the JRMP II is an important project of his time. Given what happened to flood control projects of other agencies of the government, JRMP II, the dam was completed, constructed properly, and served as flood mitigation as committed as part of the benefits of the project last year,” he said.
The overall physical accomplishment of the PHP25.6-billion project is now at 82.36 percent as of December 2025.
To date, only the irrigation component, consisting of the high-line canal, main canal and the lateral canal, is left to be completed.
The high-line canal has an accomplishment rate of 37 percent, and the main canal is 32 percent as of December 2025.
“Our target completion is June 2027, and operational by December of the same year. Given our progress, it is possible,” he said.
Last year, the project initially irrigated 500 out of the 3,750 hectares of rice land in the municipality of Calinog.
Once completed, the project is expected to irrigate 9,500 hectares of new areas and over 32,000 hectares of existing rice areas, totaling 31,840 hectares. (PNA)