The National Irrigation Administration thru its Regional Office No. 4-B has started the construction of the Iwahig – Balsahan Irrigation Project right inside the compound of the Iwahig Penal Colony in Puerto Princesa City. Due to security reasons, the commencement of the project took quite sometime, nevertheless, ending up with a Memorandum of Agreement between the Bureau of Corrections and the National Irrigation Administration. The signing of the MOA was facilitated by no less than DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and NIA Administrator Antonio S. Nangel.
The ongoing project is funded under GAA with a project cost of P 40 Million funded under GAA. It will irrigate about 414 hectares and will benefit 120 inmates of the Iwahig Penal Colony. It is interesting to know that life in that prison is not a life behind bars, but a life with nature because the place is abundant with tress, flora and fauna. The inmates though of different categories enjoy a life outside prison bars. During the visit of Administrator Nangel and other NIA officials, it was observed that the inmates are engaged in farming, beautification of compound and other livelihood activities. Some inmates are also employed as skilled and non-skilled laborers in the construction of the irrigation project.
At present, 100 hectares is being irrigated but once the project is completed it will irrigate an additional 314 hectares. The project construction started in July 2011 and expected to be completed by December 31, 2011.
During the project visitation, Administrator Nangel and Mr. Guillermo B. Ayala, OIC of Iwahig Prison and Penal engaged in the discussion of the ongoing construction. Mr. Ayala appreciates the project in the compound as he said that the construction of the project will increase the irrigated area and assures a year-round supply of irrigation water. The harvest from the farm, it was learned, is the main source of rice supply not only of the prison’s officials but for the inmates as well. For his part, Administrator Nangel said that irrigation services is not discriminatory but caters to all kinds of people where irrigation is feasible. He said further that irrigation is one of the keys to attaining socio-economic development in any part of the country.
NIA Administrator Antonio S. Nangel during the inspection of Iwahig-Balsahan Irrigation Project inside the Iwahig Prison and Penal Colony, Puerto Princesa City.
