President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to attain food security and “zero hunger” in the country.
This, as Marcos witnessed the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the implementation of the Reformation Initiative for Sustainable Environment for Food Security (RISE) Project.
The MOA was signed by the DA’s Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the DOJ’s Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) in a ceremony at the President’s Hall of Malacañan Palace in Manila.
In his keynote speech, Marcos said the partnership is a testament to his administration’s “unyielding” commitment to both food security and rehabilitative justice.
“Allow me to recognize the synergy, the work of the DA, DOJ and their private partners to utilize our natural resources and promote ecology sustainable practices amongst persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) through this RISE project,” Marcos, who also acts as DA secretary, said.
“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 for reformation,” he added.
Marcos said the cooperation between the DA-BPI and BuCor would contribute to “much greater” humanitarian causes such as the rehabilitation and reintegration of the PDLs.
He said the initiative would ensure 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,” Marcos said.
Marcos hoped that the RISE Project would encourage more private-public partnerships and inspire the Filipino people to pursue activities that will leave a “lasting” impact on the country.
He acknowledged that the private partners play a crucial role in the success of his administration’s programs, noting their expertise and technological advancement.
“I likewise express my gratitude to the private sector, our partners in development for your unconditional support and dedication to contribute to the development of Filipino people and of the Filipino nation,” 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.
The joint initiative aims to utilize and rehabilitate arable lands within the BuCor’s prison reservations and penal farms across the country to boost food production.
The Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan will serve as the pilot site of RISE Project since it covers arable land areas spanning around 28,700 hectares of land.
The area is divided into four zones or districts, which include the Central Sub-Colony (3,824 hectares), Montible Sub-Colony (6,932 hectares), Inagawan Sub-Colony (11,162.54 hectares), and Sta. Lucia Sub-Colony (6,870 hectares).
The partnership intends to implement agro-industrial projects by transforming land areas and resources into productive agricultural camps or food production centers.
It aims to enhance the country’s food security, provide PDLs with appropriate training for livelihood preparation and societal reintegration, facilitate rehabilitation through agricultural production training, horticultural therapy, and vocational gardening under the BuCor’s Work and Livelihood Program.
The program also seeks to improve the PDLs and community members’ food sufficiency, meal nutrition and dietary quality with a sustainable, year-round harvest of fruits and vegetables.
It initiates the pilot technology of the DA’s National Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture (NUPAP) and the High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) interventions and management systems that can be replicated in other BuCor facilities nationwide.
The program also responds to the challenges faced by the agricultural sector and the potential impact of El Niño, which threatens food security and sustainability. (PNA)
