To ensure that food is sufficient in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Department of Agriculture (DA) continues to expand its Urban Agriculture Program (UAP) through partnerships with various government and private agencies on community farming system.
On January 25, Agriculture Secretary William Dar signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Bureau of Correction (BOC) Director-General and Undersecretary Gerald Quitaleg Bantag for the implementation of DA-BuCor Agriculture Development Program (ADP).
The DA-BuCor ADP aims to develop arable land in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) reservation in Muntinlupa City into an agri-fishery development site to fulfill its mandate to reform Person Deprived of Liberty (PDL), to prepare them in their reintegration into the community and support the food demand of the NCR.
Under the agreement, DA will establish plant nurseries, seed production facilities, breeder farms, fish farms, and composting facilities, while maintaining fruit vegetable, livestock, and fish farm within the 80 hectares (ha) NBP reservation.
DA will also provide technical assistance, support services, and template of agricultural production for other initiatives including the “Balik Probinsya Program”, and the DA’s Plant, Plant, Plant Program to BuCor employees and PDLs.
Currently, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has been assisting BuCor in managing their farm planted with eggplant, mungbean, squash, corn, banana, and papaya. The income generated will be managed by BuCor.
The DA-BuCor ADP shall initially take effect for three years, subject to renewal or extension by both parties.
The MOA signing ceremony was witnessed by Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Noel Reyes, BPI Director George Culaste, and BPI Assistant Director for Administration and Operations Gerald Glenn Panganiban. # # # (Text by Kristel Merle & photos by Alan Jay Jacalan / DA-AFID)
