The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has officially launched a groundbreaking initiative to construct the Philippines’ first Agricultural Camp (Agricamp) Facility dedicated to children in conflict with the law (CICL). The project’s kick-off ceremony took place on May 7, 2025, at the Inagawan Sub-Colony of the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
The ceremony was led by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, alongside key officials, including Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang and Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council Executive Director Atty. Tricia Claire Oco. The event brought together national and local leaders united in their commitment to rehabilitating and reintegrating CICLs into society through education, skills training, and psychosocial support.
Secretary Bonoan reaffirmed the DPWH’s commitment to delivering Phase 1 of the Agricamp Facility within the year, stating, “You can count on us to complete this significant project efficiently and on time. Our work is fueled by our heartfelt dedication to the Filipino youth, who represent the hope and promise of our beloved nation.”
Also present were DPWH Undersecretaries Roberto B. Bernardo and Eric A. Ayapana, MIMAROPA Regional Director Gerald A. Pacanan, and Bureau of Maintenance Director Gene Ryan A. Altea, alongside Palawan Governor Victorino Dennis Socrates, Congressman Jose Alvarez, and officials from the Department of Justice, Court of Appeals, and Commission on Human Rights.
Covering 10 hectares, the facility is a flagship initiative under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Build Better More” program. Phase 1 will include four one-storey housing units, two multi-purpose buildings, two open courts, and an administration building—all equipped with essential utilities. The Agricamp will provide agricultural and vocational training and psychological support to CICLs, promoting a restorative approach to juvenile justice.
Funded under the 2024 General Appropriations Act with an allocation of ₱90 million, the Agricamp Facility stands as a testament to the government’s collective resolve to build a more inclusive and rehabilitative justice system for the nation’s youth.
