Muntinlupa City: The San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has announced a significant commitment to enhance the nutrition of more than 31,000 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) by providing them with supplemental meals twice a week. This initiative will commence in November 2024 and continue until December 2027, benefitting inmates at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City and the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City. According to Philippines News Agency, a memorandum of agreement was signed on Monday by representatives from SMC, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), and the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service Foundation (PJPS). The agreement aims to ensure the transparent and effective distribution of food donations within the secure areas of NBP and CIW, while maintaining high standards of accountability and resource management. BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. emphasized the importance of this systematic and coordinated effort to improve the nutritional intake of PDLs, w ith a strong focus on security and the welfare of the beneficiaries. Catapang expressed that the partnership signifies a vital commitment to providing supplemental food over the next three years, ensuring that those under their care receive not only adequate nutrition but also a sense of dignity. He highlighted the essential role of nourishing inmates in fostering hope and healing, and thanked SMC for its dedication to this cause. Catapang also expressed optimism that this collaboration will lead to positive changes within the two correctional facilities. Under the memorandum of agreement, BuCor and PJPS will handle the distribution of the meals, while the San Miguel Foundation (SMF) will be responsible for providing supplementary lunch and dinner for the 31,600 PDLs at NBP and CIW. SMF has committed to ensuring that the meals are delivered frozen early in the morning on feeding days, with pallets provided for unloading and storage. Additionally, SMF plans to donate PHP10 million worth of San Miguel Foods C hristmas products for the PDLs in December 2024.