A total of 5,825 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) benefited from a donation of 144 bags of assorted fresh vegetables from Nueva Vizcaya, facilitated through the initiative of HONORABLE FRANCIS “KIKO” N. PANGILINAN, Senator of the Republic of the Philippines and Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, coursed through Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) Philippines on October 30, 2026.
The donation, which aims to augment the food supply and help meet the nutritional needs of PDLs, was delivered to the NBP Administration Building aboard a vehicle bearing the Kadiwa ng Pangulo signage.
The donated agricultural produce included bell peppers, tomatoes, patola, ground pear (yacon), Baguio beans, long beans, sweet potatoes, bananas, okra, green chili, pechay, cucumbers, eggplant, and carrots.
To ensure the orderly receipt, inventory, and immediate distribution of the vegetables, 100 Corrections Officer 1 (CO1) trainees from the Corrections National Training Institute (CNTI), together with NBP personnel, assisted in unloading and handling the donated produce.
The 144 bags of vegetables were distributed among the different NBP facilities, with 75 bags allocated to the Maximum Security Camp, benefiting 1,430 PDLs; 23 bags to the Medium Security Camp, benefiting 1,050 PDLs; 24 bags to the Minimum Security Camp, benefiting 1,728 PDLs; and 22 bags to the Reception and Diagnostic Center, benefiting 1,617 PDLs.
Under the leadership of Director General GENERAL GREGORIO PIO P. CATAPANG JR., AFP (Ret.), CESE, CCLH, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) expressed its sincere appreciation to Senator Pangilinan for facilitating the donation, as well as to SOS Philippines and all other individuals and organizations who contributed to making the initiative possible.
The initiative highlights the importance of cooperation among government agencies, private organizations, and agricultural stakeholders in promoting food security and supporting the welfare of PDLs.
Through meaningful partnerships and sustained collaboration, BuCor continues to strengthen its commitment to humane correctional services, recognizing that providing adequate food and promoting the well-being of PDLs are essential components of their care and rehabilitation.
