Thank you to our Executive Secretary for his introduction, Secretary Luke Bersamin. [Please take your seats.]

Our Senior Undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture, Usec. Ding Panganiban; the representative of the Department of Justice is Undersecretary Raul Vasquez and all the other officials of the Department of Justice who are here with us today; Director General Gregorio Catapang and the officials of the Bureau of Corrections; my fellow workers in government; ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

Today we are here for the Ceremonial Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Justice on the Reformation Initiative for Sustainable Environment for Food Security, or the RISE Project.

Allow me to recognize the synergy that the work of the DA, DOJ, and their private partners to utilize our natural resources and promote [ecologically] sustainable practices amongst persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) through this RISE Project.

This initiative attests to our unyielding commitment to both food security and rehabilitative justice.

By investing in these capacity-building activities, we are not only helping boost food production but also giving our PDLs opportunities to realize their potential for positive change and for reformation.

I likewise express my gratitude to the private sector, our partners in development, for your unconditional support and dedication to contribute to the development of the Filipino people and of the Filipino nation.

Without a doubt, the private sector partners have played and continue to play an indispensable role in the success of our programs by bringing in expertise and technological advancements that complement our endeavors.

The challenges in food security today are multifaceted and complex. Thus, it is crucial for us that we work together and tap into our respective specialties, expertise, and strengths so we can formulate more comprehensive, empirical, and integrated approaches.

In fact, among this Administration’s priorities are the attainment of food security and the Zero Hunger goal under the Sustainable Development Goals.

These twin priorities require cooperation amongst all disciplines and across all sectors. We must delve into the underlying causes of food insecurity, of poverty, inequality, and the lack of access to resources.

Achieving these objectives will also contribute to much greater humanitarian causes, such as the rehabilitation and reintegration of our PDLs and ensuring hunger prevention, poverty alleviation, and better health.

So, I urge our national government agencies to continue pursuing innovative projects that address the needs that evolve now in this modern age for Filipinos.

By making innovation our priority, we can expedite the delivery of programs and services, and build a more robust economy.

It remains crucial to note that there is no single sector or institution that can address all the issues that our country faces. It is more pragmatic and effective to allocate our scarce resources wisely and ensure that all our initiatives are aligned, coordinated, and integrated through a whole-of-nation approach.

Rest assured that this Administration will continue to reinforce these pursuits and fortify the foundation that we have laid by monitoring the progress of our projects.

I hope that the RISE Project will encourage more public-private partnerships and inspire our people to pursue activities that will leave a lasting impact  on our society.

With us striving towards a shared vision, I am confident that we can build a nation that provides an equitable and egalitarian society for our people that provides opportunities for all and ignites our people’s faith in their potential to transform our society for the better.

Congratulations and I wish you all the success in this noble endeavor and all those that we will undertake in the future.

Maraming, maraming salamat po at magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat.  [applause]

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Watch here: Ceremonial Signing of the MOA for the DA and the DOJ's RISE Project

Location: President’s Hall in Malacañan Palace, Manila