Ilocos norte: Inmates at the Ilocos Norte Provincial Jail (INPJ) are now able to earn extra income by producing compost bins for distribution to households across the province. This initiative, part of the provincial government's flagship household composting program, has seen significant traction in urban communities, thanks to the efforts of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority-trained inmates who manufacture 400 compost bins.

According to Philippines News Agency, ten persons deprived of liberty (PDL) are involved in the project, each receiving a salary of PHP4,000. Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos announced that the household composting program is currently operational in at least 28 villages, with plans to extend it throughout the entire province. The initiative has sparked interest among more inmates, who are eager to participate in the production of additional composting units to supplement their income.

The INPJ emphasized in a statement that sustainable livelihood initiatives like this one enhance the ability of PDLs to become self-reliant and productive members of society upon their release. The composting process involves using an improvised bucket with a tight cover and a faucet for draining, allowing for proper segregation of food waste, which reduces the amount sent to the city landfill.

Initially, the INPJ served as a pilot site for the household composting and community gardening project, training over 150 inmates to convert food waste into organic soil. This soil is produced by fermenting food waste with locally available materials, facilitating faster decomposition without unpleasant odors.

The initiative not only provides inmates with additional income but also offers them a consistent source of fresh vegetables grown in nutrient-rich soil they cultivate from kitchen scraps. Governor Araneta-Marcos envisions this program expanding to other villages, with the goal of ensuring that every Ilokano home has a garden to promote food security.