ILOILO — Thirty Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the male dormitory of the Iloilo District Jail in Pototan town have undergone specialized training in coffee farming as part of efforts to equip them with livelihood skills and improve their chances of successful reintegration into society after serving their sentences.
The training, conducted by the Iloilo Provincial Agriculture Office (PAGRO), forms part of the provincial government’s rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives aimed at transforming inmates into productive members of their communities upon release.
Held recently at the Iloilo District Jail in Barangay Nanga, Pototan, the Coffee Farming Orientation was carried out under the province’s PDL RESTART (Rehabilitation, Empowerment, Social Transformation and Reintegration Track) Program and supports the provincial government’s vision of a “Fun, Foodie, Friendly Iloilo.”
The activity was facilitated by PAGRO personnel Jepty Cabanilla and Nerio Lustria.
Provincial officials said the initiative seeks to provide inmates with practical agricultural knowledge and technical skills that could serve as sustainable sources of income after their release.
Beyond preparing PDLs for life outside prison, the program is also expected to contribute to the development of Iloilo’s growing coffee industry while promoting rehabilitation, self-reliance, and economic opportunities for inmates and their families.
During the orientation, participants received training on various aspects of coffee production, including the establishment and maintenance of coffee nurseries, plantation management, propagation techniques, and post-harvest practices.
The sessions covered coffee nursery establishment and maintenance to develop quality seedlings through proper nursery management; coffee plantation management and maintenance using sustainable farming practices; coffee propagation techniques for effective plant reproduction; and coffee harvesting, processing, and storage to ensure bean quality and maximize market value.
Provincial authorities said agricultural interventions such as the coffee farming program demonstrate Iloilo’s continuing commitment to rehabilitation efforts that provide inmates with hope, practical skills, and opportunities for a more productive future after incarceration./PN
