Bureau of Corrections director general Gregorio Catapang Jr. on Sunday disclosed that at least 495 persons deprived of liberty from the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm were escorted out of their prison to participate in the government's Reformations Initiative for Sustainable Environment for food security project.

Catapang said that based on a report submitted to him by IPPF Superintendent Gary Garcia, 300 PDLs from medium security and 195 from minimum security started seed and land preparation in the two-hectare out of the 501 hectares property of BuCor for the RISE project.

The BuCor chief said this is the realization of the Memorandum of Agreement signed recently in Malacañang witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. between Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, BuCor and Department of Agriculture.

"The project will not only contribute to the country's food sufficiency and security but will also address one of agricultural sector's concerns of aging farmers since the PDLs will be trained as farmers," said Catapang.

"It will also help maximize the capacity of the country to harness its full potential of growing local agricultural commodities and supplying in international markets due to the vast expansion of the production area," he added.

Catapang also stressed that the program will provide additional income to participating PDLs and contribute to their reformation and prepare them to live a normal and productive life upon reintegration to the mainstream society.

Under the agreement, the IPPF will be utilized for the pilot project implementation of agro-tourism and agro-aquaculture sites which provides an opportunity for replication and development in other penal colonies across the country.