82,000 families in Western Visayas complete 4Ps program
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced on Wednesday that it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and the Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU) to establish an agri-camp for children in conflict with the law (CICL) in Pampanga.
Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar of DSWD stated that the agri-camp, a first in the Philippines, aims to facilitate the rehabilitation of CICLs.
“The implementation of the agricultural camp titled Sowing Seeds of Hope Through Sustainable Farming will benefit children in conflict with the law here in the region, and probably throughout the Philippines, if they will be admitted and committed to the agricultural camp here,” Villar said.
Other signatories to the memorandum of understanding included BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr., and PSAU President Dr. Anita David.
The 5,000 square-meter agri-camp will feature various agricultural areas, such as a greenhouse, compost production areas, animal barnyards, and learning centers.
Villar emphasized that the project is designed to best serve CICLs who are vulnerable and victims themselves.
“The children are the most vulnerable, and more so those who are in conflict with the law, who are victims themselves, victims of their circumstance, victims of abuse, exploitation, who in turn, turn to these acts because of their situation. And this is such a fitting project for them,” Villar added.
