IRC workers trying to catch up December deadline
Pototan, Iloilo -- Construction work is being hastened in Barangay Nanga, Pototan, Iloilo, future home of the new Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC).
In fact, as per declaration of Governor Niel Tupas, some 800 inmates under IRC custody will spend the holidays and the New Year in the new IRC. To date, one wing of the building that will house the detainees are up on 'finishing touches' while construction is full blast in the mess hall.
The new IRC valued about P70 million promises to be the best rehabilitation center in the history of Iloilo. The move has caused retired Police Senior Supt. Juan Mabugat, IRC warden to seek additional guards that will augment its present force of 84 provincial guards.
While not totally 'hi-tech,' Senior Supt. Mabugat expressed optimism on the future of IRC administration.
'Better jail facilities and more programs for our inmates' rehabilitation. While we have a large area, only about one hectare will be used to house the inmates and the rest of the space, for livelihood projects and other rehab programs of the center,' he said in an earlier The News Today interview.
No specifics were given by government engineers on the job but documents obtained from TNT sources disclosed of supposed 'Accomplishment report' in Phase 1 wing A marked as 'completed.' Project value in this phase was P15 million. Mess Hall works entail P7.5 million in budget which is tagged as 'partially completed' on official record.
Phase II completion has P35.5 million in allocation and marked as 'on-going' by Capitol contractors, F. Gurrea Construction and yet another P15 million for additional works of security fences, site development and other incidental works.
As designed, the new IRC will have elaborate housing for women inmates, juveniles and the men. A standard cell is expected to 'comfortably' house eight to twelve detainees with a total of 64 prison cells to be made.
Security fence will be a cyclone wire with barbed-wire and is 12 feet high. There is also to be inner and outer security fences with some 6-meter gap in between.