By Lydia C. Pendon
ILOILO CITY, Feb 10 (PNA) — A package of housing subdivision awaits the beneficiaries of the Jalaur River Multi-purpose Project (JRMP) as soon as the second agreement is signed before the end of March 2015.
This was announced by the Calinog Indigenous People’s Organization (CIPO) president Renato Casinao who is also a member of the Sangguniang Bayan of Calinog, Iloilo.
Casinao said they are bracing up for the full implementation of the P11.2 billion multi-purpose project as their benefits are being assured by the National Irrigation Administration.
The JRMP covers some five barangays in the mountain sites of Calinog where three dams will be constructed and a long canal will augment the delivery of water to the lowlands.
A housing subdivision is being planned for the people in affected mountain barangays of Garangan and Masaroy. Some 44 families along the reservoir dam will be given a relocation site for their houses costing some P175,000 on top of the disturbance fee of P50,000
The second agreement also calls for payment for the affected crops such as bananas, coconuts, palay, camote, cassava and other will highland crops which the NIA assured replacement cost.
Casinao said they all wanted peace in the area and do not welcome saboteurs and other outsiders who seek antagonism in the area.
Casinao said they should not be blamed in the delay of construction as officials of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) regional office and the NIA are helping them achieve their demands on just compensation. (PNA)