Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF) in Puerto Princesa will be piloted for Food Production project jointly implemented by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and the Department of Agriculture in an effort to boost food production while helping inmates for reintegration to the society.
The agreement forms part of the agencies’ joint venture, the Reformative Initiative for Sustainable Environment (Rise) for Food Security Project. IPPF in Puerto Princesa is among BuCor’s seven prison facility in the country including that in Davao Province, Zamboanga, Leyte, Occidental Mindoro, Mandaue City and Muntinlupa City. Of the seven facilities, IPPF is the biggest, containing vast area with a total of 34,200 hectares.
On July 13, 2023, the DA and BuCor formalized the project through a signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to utilized idle land of the BuCor, specifically in its prison facility.
The DA said that their two agencies agreed to implement a massive integrated farming project composed of livestock, aquaculture, rice, corn and high value crop production.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who is also the concurrent head of DA graced the event witnessing the MOA signing by Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban and BuCor chief Gregorio Catapang Jr.
“This initiative attests to our 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 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) opportunities to realize their potential for positive change and for reformation,” President Marcos said in a statement.
Sources said that BuCor eyed 500 hectares that will be developed into agri-tourism sites and food production areas. Initially, it will include 30-hectare production area for cashew, one hectare for edible landscaping, 25-hectare for yellow corn and 40-hectare for rice.
“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. In fact, among this administration’s priorities are the attainment of food security and the zero hunger goal under the sustainable development goals,” said Marcos.
The DA and BuCor said that this initiatives of their two agencies are geared towards a steady source of local food and to make the PDLs productive while serving their terms in Iwahig Prison.
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