HOPE BEHIND BARS. A Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officer teaches a person deprived of liberty (PDL) how to do hydroponics-based farming in Palawan in this undated photo. (Photo from JO3 Joefrie Anglo, IO-BJMP Mimaropa)

NARRA, Palawan — The Narra District Jail (NDJ) in Narra town, Southern Palawan, has launched the “Gulayan ng Pag-Asa” Livelihood Program.

It is a hydroponics-based farming initiative aimed at teaching sustainable agriculture skills to persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

The project is a collaboration between NDJ and the Rotaract Club of Puerto Princesa City.

It began with financial support and training in hydroponic farming techniques, enabling inmates to cultivate lettuce seedlings within the facility.

NDJ acting warden, Senior Jail Officer 2 Marlon Lolong, emphasized the program’s potential to aid in rehabilitating inmates.

“This initiative aligns with our broader efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and support local communities,” he said as quoted in a news release on Thursday.

BJMP Mimaropa Regional Information Officer Jail Officer 3 Joefrie Anglo highlighted the regional significance of such programs.

“Engaging in agricultural initiatives allows PDLs to learn valuable skills, contributing to their rehabilitation and reintegration into society,” he noted.

The “Gulayan ng Pag-Asa” program is part of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology’s (BJMP) broader efforts to implement agricultural projects across the region.

These initiatives enhance vegetable production and provide livelihood opportunities for PDLs, fostering a sense of purpose and community involvement.