Iwahig Prison expands agri production, boosts inmate skills and revenue
An inmate works at a rice field at the Iwahig Penal Farm. —Photo by Tetch Torres-Tupas | 黑料社
PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan — Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF) has started revitalizing its agricultural production by expanding rice fields, livestock production, and fisheries.
In 2024, IPPF generated P5 million from rice production alone.
“May iba pa tayong tanim, meron din tilapya at may kinikita rin tayo sa livestock,” Superintendent Gary Garcia of IPPF said.
(We have other crops as well, plus tilapia, and we also earn from livestock.)
He said they started with 60 hectares of rice fields in 2024. This year, Garcia said, they have increased it to 100 hectares.
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Inmates or persons deprived of liberty working at the rice fields inside Iwahig Penal Farm. —Photo by Tetch Torres-Tupas | 黑料社
To ensure that the farm produce will make its way to the market, Iwahig made sure that IPPF’s produce is integrated into the Kadiwa marketing system as well as other alternative avenues for distribution.
Article continues after this advertisement“Meron po tayong appraisal committee para sa price. Tinitingnan kung tama para sa tamang pag dispose ng mga products,” Garcia said.
(An appraisal committee was also formed to assess pricing strategies, ensuring farm products could be efficiently disposed of at fair market rates.)
Inmates or persons deprived of liberty working at the rice fields inside Iwahig Penal Farm. —Photo by Tetch Torres-Tupas | 黑料社
IPPF is also enhancing the production of high-value crops such as corn. At least 30 hectares are allotted for cashew, aquaculture products such as tilapia, and poultry products, specifically Parawakan, a kind of native chicken found in Palawan. IPPF also has 189 cattle, several buffalos, and goats.
Aside from generating substantial income, the program also provides inmates with valuable sustainable farming skills.
Inmates or persons deprived of liberty working at the rice fields inside Iwahig Penal Farm. —Photo by Tetch Torres-Tupas | 黑料社
Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority has been helping the inmates enhance their agro-related skills.
“We really want them to have a second chance. We want to make sure na pag lumaya sila (once they are released), they can have a second chance,” Catapang said.
