Guv seeks SP nod on add'l P14.8 M fund for new IRC
Bent on having a new jail before the year ends, the Iloilo Provincial Government is putting in more funds for the continued construction of the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC) in Pototan, Iloilo.
Latest addition to the multi-million construction in Barangay Nanga of said town is P14,815.175.12. The said amount to be contracted has been awarded to contractor, Topmost Development and Manufacturing Corporation. Such, Governor Niel Tupas, Sr. in a letter to members of the Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) wrote, was the lowest calculated and responsive bid as determined by the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC).
With Tupas’ letter came the request for the SP approval of an authority so that he, in behalf of the Capitol may seal the deal with Topmost. The nearly P15 million in additional government funds will be used for the construction of additional works seen to make the new IRC operational later this year.
The Governor in his budget message to the SP wrote of his intent to finish the job very soon.
“I expect the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC) to become operational by this year with new buildings in a much bigger site at Brgy. Nanga, Pototan, Iloilo,” he said while adding that the new jail will actually be more than just a jail. As such, IRC in its new home will serve as the Capitol’s “showcase agri-technology” site.
“It has been my top priority to continue to support the agriculture sector. This year, we will showcase agri-technology at the new IRC site, we will host the mango and cutflower congress and sustain our achievements in rice production, watermelon, livestock, poultry, fishery and other marine products. We have to bolster the enforcement of veterinary and regulatory functions,” the Governor wrote.
Meantime, retired Police Supt. Juan Mabugat, IRC warden works on getting additional guards to man the new jail. The transfer, he admitted in an earlier TNT interview has long been much-awaited with the present conditions not attuned to the present needs of the IRC detainees.
The modern IRC is expected to comfortably house the Ilonggo inmates averaging about 700 a month.