In Iloilo yesterday, the P11.2-billion Jalaur River Multi-purpose Project Phase II (JRMP II) broke ground with Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon, a true son of Iloilo, laying the time capsule during the ceremony. Hopefully, Drilon says, the province of Iloilo and the whole of Western Visayas will once again become the country’s rice granary, capable of significantly contributing to the country’s rice production target of 7.6 percent. Arresting agricultural output declineFor Drilon, JRMP II will help to arrest the decline in Iloilo and Western Visayas’ agricultural output, spur the local economy, increase employment opportunities, and in the process contribute to the development of Region 6. Infrastructure projects in agriculture have the capacity to augment production and stimulate agri-industrial activities, not only in Western Visayas, but throughout the country. The Iloilo International Airport was completed from an $80 million official development assistance (ODA) loan from Japan.

Source: Philippine Star February 27, 2019 16:00 UTC