MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pouring in P549 million for irrigation, farm machinery and fisheries projects in Palawan.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said the funds have set aside to ensure that the island-province, dubbed as the country's "last frontier," would be sufficient in rice, other staples and fishery and marine products.

Alcala stressed that among the projects crafted for Palawan are the P498-million bato-Iraan small reservoir project that will irrigate 1,600 hectares and benefit 425 farmers in Aborlan town, particularly those in Barangays Sagpangan, Maligaya, Ibato and Iraan.

The DA chief led the groundbreaking the irrigation project on January 16.

Alcala was joined by Palawan Governor Abraham Kahlil Mitra, DA assistant secretary and national rice program coordinator Dante de Lima, National Irrigation Administrator (NIA) Antonio Nangel, DA Region 4B director Cipriano Santiago, NIA Region 4-B acting manager Conrado Cardenas Jr., and Aborlan Mayor Jaime Ortega.

Top officials present during the launch of the fisheries projects were Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn, BFAR national director Asis Perez, DA Region 4-B director Cipriano Santiago, BFAR Region 4-B director Dr. Emmanuel Asis, and SEAFDEC-AQD chief Dr. Joebert Toledo.

Nangel said the project involves the construction of a dam that is 30 meters high and 68.9 meters long that can store about 2.4 million cubic meters of water.

“We will finish the project in two to three years. Then, we will also develop the reservoir or impounded area into a fish pond and park for eco-tourism. We may also look for partners to develop it into a source of hydro-electric power,” Nangel said.

Earlier, Alcala led the inauguration of the P40-million Iwahig Penal Farm irrigation project in Puerto Princesa that can irrigate 414 hectares.

Started in July 2011, the project was completed six months ahead of schedule.

What was unique about the project was the fact that inmates at the Iwahig Penal Farm themselves built the facility.

Alcala commended the inmates for their efficient and speedy work.

The Iwahig irrigation system, which draws water from the nearby Balsahan River, will enable inmate-farmers to increase their previous average yield of 4.5 tons per hectare of palay.

Aside from commercial rice, they also produce certified palay seeds for their use in succeeding seasons, with the excess sold to farmers in Puerto Princesa.

DA will provide the registered seeds for the penal farm that inmates can use to produce the certified seeds.

Alcala said DA will continue to partner with the Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) of the Department of Justice (DoJ) to transform idle lands in other penal colonies into productive rice farms.