To mark Labor Day, jails in Brooke’s Point and Narra in Palawan are giving new meaning to hard work and second chances — by planting seeds of hope. Inmates are turning idle spaces into lush gardens, growing vegetables, and building better futures.

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has expanded its urban gardening programs, allowing Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) to grow their own food and skills inside prison walls, according to BJMP MIMAROPA Regional Information Officer Jail Officer 3 Joefrie Anglo.

In Brooke’s Point District Jail, a once-empty 10-square-meter space now blooms with organic vegetables like pechay, talong, broccoli, and ampalaya.

The PDLs use natural fertilizers and pest repellents to make sure their produce is safe and healthy.

Anglo said this project not only supplements the facility's food supply but also offers therapeutic benefits, breaking the monotony of daily life and promoting mental well-being among PDLs.

The program follows the national “HAPAG sa Barangay” push, which promotes food security by using idle spaces for gardening.

“The program aims to boost food security and self-sufficiency among PDLs, equipping them with skills that can aid in their reintegration into society upon release,” Anglo said.

In Narra District Jail, the “Gulayan ng Pag-Asa” Livelihood Program uses hydroponic farming to teach inmates how to grow lettuce in water-based systems.

The project began through a partnership with the Rotaract Club of Puerto Princesa.

“This initiative aligns with our broader efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and support local communities,” Senior Jail Officer 2 Marlon Lolong, Acting Warden of NDJ, said.

“Engaging in agricultural initiatives allows PDLs to learn valuable skills, contributing to their rehabilitation and reintegration into society,” Anglo added.

Both jails aim to prove that with patience, care, and the right support, even behind bars, growth is possible — not just in gardens, but in lives.