BROOKE’S POINT, Palawan – In observance of Labor Day, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Brooke’s Point District Jail has intensified its urban gardening program, aiming to enhance the welfare and rehabilitation of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs).
The initiative has transformed a previously underutilized 10-square-meter area within the facility into a flourishing organic vegetable garden. PDLs now cultivate crops such as pechay, eggplant, broccoli, and bitter gourd using organic fertilizers and natural pest repellents, ensuring the produce is safe and nutritious.
This project not only supplements the facility’s food supply but also offers therapeutic benefits, breaking the monotony of daily life and promoting mental well-being among PDLs.
According to BJMP MIMAROPA Regional Information Officer Jail Officer 3 Joefrie Anglo, the urban gardening program aligns with the national “HAPAG (Halina’t Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay)” initiative, which encourages jail facilities to utilize vacant spaces for urban gardening.
Anglo stated, “The program aims to boost food security and self-sufficiency among PDLs, equipping them with skills that can aid in their reintegration into society upon release.”
As the BJMP continues to implement and expand these programs, the focus remains on rehabilitation and the holistic development of PDLs. By fostering skills in agriculture, the bureau not only addresses immediate nutritional needs but also prepares inmates for a productive and fulfilling life after their release.
This Labor Day, BJMP Brooke’s Point exemplifies the power of sustainable practices in transforming lives, proving that with the right opportunities, individuals can cultivate a better future. (PR)
