The Philippine Jesuit Prison Service (PJPS), San Miguel Foundation (SMF), and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) have launched an initiative to provide free meals to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW).
On November 18, 2024, the three organizations formalized their partnership through a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), signed by Jesuit Father Firmo N. Bargayo, Jr., Executive Director of PJPS; Maria Raquel Paula Lichauco, Executive Director of SMF; and retired General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr., Director General of BuCor.
Father Bargayo described the agreement as “a union of compassion and service,” emphasizing the shared commitment to addressing the needs of PDLs.
Under this initiative, SMF will provide meals every two weeks on Thursdays, covering both lunch and dinner. PJPS and BuCor will coordinate the distribution within the prison facilities.
This partnership is set to run until 2027, reflecting a long-term dedication to improving the lives of inmates.
The New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, and the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, will be the primary beneficiaries.
NBP, the country’s largest prison facility, holds an inmate population of 29,204 as of October 2022—nearly five times its intended capacity of 6,345. CIW, the nation’s main facility for incarcerated women, has been operating since 1931 on an 18-hectare property.
Since its inception in 1996, PJPS has been a beacon of hope and transformation for PDLs, offering pastoral care and holistic development programs through the efforts of priests and volunteers.
This new initiative further strengthens PJPS's mission, ensuring that physical nourishment accompanies spiritual and emotional care.
By addressing the basic needs of some of the most marginalized members of society, this partnership exemplifies the spirit of compassion and solidarity, inspiring others to contribute to meaningful change within the justice system.
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