18/05/2026
๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐ฃ ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ป๐ฐ๐ต '๐๐๐น๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ฎ ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐ป' ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ท๐ฒ๐ฐ๐, ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ป ๐ ๐ข๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ด๐ฟ๐ถ-๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐บ
The Department of Agriculture XII (DA XII) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officially launched the "Gulayan sa Piitan" Project and signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) today, May 18, 2026, at the BJMP District Jail Compound in Brgy. Paraiso, City of Koronadal, South Cotabato.
The joint initiative, implemented through the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP) aims to enhance community food security while promoting the rehabilitation of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs).
During the launching ceremony, DA XII OIC-RTD for Operations Ray Embajador, representing Regional Executive Director John Pascual, DVM, emphasized the broader impact of the partnership on inmate reformation.
"This project is not just about planting seeds and harvesting crops; it is about cultivating hope and providing meaningful life skills for our Persons Deprived of Liberty," RTD Embajador said.
"Through agriculture, we are giving them a sustainable pathway toward rehabilitation while simultaneously contributing to the food security of the facility and the surrounding community," he added.
Following the launch, the formal agreement was signed by RTD Embajador for the DA and by JCSUPT Arnel Peralta, DSC, Regional Director of the Jail Bureau, for the BJMP.
Under the MOA, DA XII will provide the facility with agricultural inputs, including assorted vegetable seeds, organic compost, garden tools, wheelbarrows, UV plastic sheets, plastic mulch, hydroponic kits, and stackable pots. DA-XII will also provide technical briefings on edible landscaping, pest management, and vegetable production .
In return, the BJMP District Jail, acting as the project's "Anchor Group", has allocated a dedicated space with a potable water source within the jail compound for the agricultural plots .
The agreement stipulates a production sharing model where at least 60% of the harvest will be sold for income generation, 30% will be reserved for the internal consumption of the facility , and at least 10% will be donated to local community- and school-based feeding programs .
The BJMP has committed to maintaining and sustaining the agricultural project for at least six years.
The MOA signing and project launch were witnessed by DA XII Field Operations Division Chief Engr. Erwin Arguelles, NUPAP Focal Person Harmie Hechanova and Koronadal City District Jail Warden JCINSP Abdulmijar U. Tahir. # #
