Gov't taps PDLs for food security project

The Department of Agriculture has partnered with the Department of Justice to create sustainable green jobs for persons deprived of liberty. 

On Thursday, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. witnessed the signing of an agreement between the agencies for the Reformation Initiative for Sustainable Environment for Food Security (RISE) Project that aims to utilize the Bureau of Corrections' (BuCor) idle lands for agricultural development to aid the government's objective to attain food security. 

The project will engage PDLs in farm work to reform and prepare them for integration into society.

In his speech during the ceremonial signing of the deal, Marcos said the initiative attests to the government's "unyielding commitment to both food security and rehabilitative justice."

"By investing in these capacity-building activities, we are not only helping boost food production but also giving our PDLs opportunities to realize their potential for positive change and reformation," Marcos said. 

"The challenges in food security today are multifaceted and complex, thus it is crucial for us that we work together and tap into our respective specialties, expertise, and strengths so we can formulate more comprehensive, empirical, and integrated approaches," he added. 

Marcos said achieving the goals would contribute to much greater humanitarian causes, including the rehabilitation and reintegration of the PDLs and ensuring hunger prevention, poverty alleviation, and better health.

"So I urge our national government agencies to continue pursuing innovative projects that address the needs that evolve now in this modern age for Filipinos. By making innovation our priority, we can expedite the delivery of programs and services and build a more robust economy," he said. 

Under the program, the PDLs will be provided with tailored support services that are designed to build and improve food production and agricultural skills, as well as managerial and operational capacity. 

Initially, 500 hectares of BuCor's Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Palawan will be developed into agri-tourism sites and food production areas through the RISE project. 

After the pilot implementation in Iwahig, it will also be launched in other operating facilities of BuCor.  — VBL, GMA Integrated News