For the first time, some 517 farmer-members of the Agbato Calinog Irrigators Association Inc. in the municipality of Calinog in Iloilo embarked on a third cropping, or double dry season cropping, following the successful delivery of irrigation waters from the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage II (JRMP II).

Steve Cordero, officer-in-charge for the Institutional Division of the National Irrigation Administration in Western Visayas (NIA-6), said farms in the once rainfed area are now finally feeling the impact of the JRMP II, especially its irrigation component.

“Calinog has no irrigation system. It’s the first time that they were able to double dry or third cropping,” Cordero said in a phone interview on Monday.

The newly-irrigated area within the coverage area of Zone 1, Main Canal 2 of the irrigation project spans about 500 hectares in Barangays Aglibacao, Badu, and Toyungan.

In October 2025, they already benefited from the irrigation project for their second cropping.

The construction of the highline canal for its irrigation component is still ongoing and NIA has already completed the portion from the town of Calinog to the adjacent town of Lambunao.

Cordero said NIA is committed to supply irrigation water in areas where it is already possible and no longer wait for the completion of the project by the end of 2027.

From 500 hectares, NIA hoped to commence generating water for around 1,000 additional hectares from Lambunao to Janiuay. The irrigation canal covering the area is set to be completed before the end of 2026.

“These are new areas, part of our commitment to open 9,500 hectares of new areas. Meaning these are rainfed before, they have no irrigation and are just waiting for rainwater to plant,” he said.

“With the development, the farmers are assured of an income stream since they can now plant palay three times a year.” (PNA)