THE Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) is expanding its poverty reduction and community development programs after reporting a sharp increase in its assets and revenues, allowing the state-run corporation to significantly increase funding for scholarships, livelihood projects and other corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Speaking at a media forum in Manila, PRA Chairman Alexander Lopez said the agency is transitioning from being primarily a revenue-generating government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) into an active partner of the Office of the President in implementing programs aimed at reducing poverty and improving the lives of marginalized communities.Lopez said the PRA's stronger financial performance in the past several years has enabled it to respond to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s call for GOCCs to complement government efforts to reduce poverty through their respective CSR programs.
Lopez said the agency's asset valuation has increased from about P37 billion when he and the current PRA Board of Directors assumed office in late 2023 to P215 billion this year. He said the agency expects its asset valuation to exceed P500 billion by next year.
He said the PRA, which had previously been considered a nonperforming asset and was classified as a "Class C" GOCC, has been elevated to "Class A" status among the government's top-performing state corporations.
The improved financial standing enabled the agency to remit P386.87 million to the national government during the first half of 2026, Lopez said.
He added that the stronger financial foundation has allowed the PRA to allocate about P2.3 billion for CSR programs between 2023 and 2026.
Among the agency's largest initiatives is the Hydroponic Farming Project, which has been allotted P210 million this year. The project is expected to cover 700 schools and benefit more than 2.8 million students and young people nationwide.
Lopez said the program started as a pilot project in 2023 involving only four schools with a budget of P1.2 million.
The hydroponic farming program aims to teach students modern agricultural techniques while developing their entrepreneurial skills. Lopez said it also encourages young people to spend their free time on productive activities that could help steer them away from illegal drugs.
The PRA has also expanded its college scholarship program for students from fisherfolk families and communities affected by reclamation projects.
The scholarship program initially supported six students by paying for their tuition and other school expenses during their final year in college. This year, however, the PRA allocated P90 million to cover the full four-year college education of 300 scholars.
The PRA continues to distribute free fiberglass fishing boats to fisherfolk to help improve their productivity and income.
The agency has likewise introduced skills training on smoked fish, or "tinapa," production for the wives of fishermen. Lopez said the training is designed to help families earn additional income while ensuring that unsold or excess fish catch is processed instead of going to waste.