Business conglomerate San Miguel Corporation (SMC) agreed to a three-year food program with the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City and the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City.
SMC will implement the initiative through its corporate social responsibility arm San Miguel Foundation, Inc. (SMF). It will run from November 2024 to December 2027. The partnership was formalized through a tripartite memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed on Monday, November 18.
BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., San Miguel Foundation, Inc. (SMF) Executive Director Maria Raquel Paula Lichauco, and Philippine Jesuit Prison Service Foundation Inc. (PJPS) representative Fr. Firmon Bargayo, Jr. were present as signatories.
“This partnership marks a significant commitment to providing supplemental food for the next three years, ensuring that those under our care receive not only adequate nutrition, but also a sense of dignity,” Catapang said in a news release on Tuesday.
The BuCor chief thanked SMC for its donation. He expressed confidence that this collaboration with the private sector will bring positive changes for the PDLs serving time in the two correctional facilities.
Under the MOA, the SMF will provide supplementary lunch and dinner to approximately 31,600 PDLs across the NBP and CIW:
- Meals will feature 80-100 grams of San Miguel Foods ready-to-eat products, packaged in pouches for sharing among groups of 10.
- Two meals per week will be distributed in designated security compounds.
- San Miguel Foods will deliver frozen products early on feeding days, with proper storage arrangements ensured.
- Menus will be designed to offer consistency and variety.
In addition, the SMF will donate P10 million worth of Christmas products to PDLs next month, further underscoring the program’s mission to enhance their well-being.
Catapang emphasized the importance of accountability and resource management in the program, ensuring transparent distribution.
