Calinog: For the first time, 517 farmer-members of the Agbato Calinog Irrigators Association Inc. in Calinog, Iloilo, have begun a third cropping cycle, or double dry season cropping. This development follows the successful delivery of irrigation waters from the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage II (JRMP II).

According to Philippines News Agency, Steve Cordero, officer-in-charge for the Institutional Division of the National Irrigation Administration in Western Visayas (NIA-6), stated that farms in previously rainfed areas are now experiencing the impact of the JRMP II's irrigation component. "Calinog has no irrigation system. It's the first time that they were able to double dry or third cropping," Cordero shared in a phone interview.

The newly-irrigated zone, within the coverage area of Zone 1, Main Canal 2 of the project, spans about 500 hectares across Barangays Aglibacao, Badu, and Toyungan. As early as October 2025, the farmers began benefiting from the irrigation project for their second cropping.

The construction of the highline canal, a critical part of the irrigation component, is still ongoing. NIA has completed the section from the town of Calinog to the adjacent town of Lambunao. Cordero emphasized NIA's commitment to supplying irrigation water wherever feasible, without waiting for the project's full completion by the end of 2027.

NIA aims to expand irrigation coverage from the current 500 hectares to include 1,000 additional hectares stretching from Lambunao to Janiuay, with the canal in this area expected to be completed before the end of 2026. "These are new areas, part of our commitment to open 9,500 hectares of new areas. These lands were previously rainfed, awaiting rainwater for planting," Cordero noted.

The development assures farmers of a steady income stream, as they can now plant palay three times a year.