DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Oct. 27 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in the city continues to uphold the welfare and well-being of Persons Deprived with Liberty (PDLs) through interventions they conducted in partnership with various agencies.
SJO3 Erwina Camacho, Inmates’ Welfare Division Officer (IWD) of BJMP-Dumaguete male dormitory, said the pandemic has brought challenges in the delivery of services for their clients but the bureau has strengthened its linkages with other offices to implement programs that are important for the rehabilitation and reformation of PDLs.
In terms of promoting physical well-being and health of PDLs, Camacho said they have partnered with a group of health professionals for tuberculosis assessment of their clients.
Groups like the Dumaguete Cathedral Credit Cooperative and agencies like the City Social Welfare and Development Office have donated food packs for the PDLs while the City Agriculturist Office has continuously supplied vegetables and other farm produce to the BJMP for the inmates.
The City Health Office has also provided 1,000 face masks to PDLs as part of the measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 inside the detention facility.
Camacho also reported that all 452 male inmates of the BJMP have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccination.
In terms of uplifting the emotional and spiritual aspects of inmates in their detention facility, BJMP has implemented E-Dalaw programs so their clients can still have a moment with their loved ones and relatives despite the ongoing pandemic where to face-to-face interaction is still limited.
BJMP also engaged PDLs in weekly meetings, Bible sharing and inter-faith activities, regular Sunday masses done online with their regional chaplain as the mass celebrant, and praise and worship and singing activities.
The Catholic Charismatic Group Couples for Christ also hold regular faith service sessions for the inmates.
Another activity they have crafted for the PDLs is film showing which Camacho called as “Cinema therapy.”
“(There is) film showing every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The PDLs watch the movie and they write a reflection after. They learn something,” Camacho said.
On education and in promoting social responsibilities, the BJMP partnered with the the Commission on Elections Dumaguete City Election Office on Aug. 30 for the voters registration process of PDLs who are eligible to vote in next year’s elections.
BJMP also facilitated the enrollment of 461 PDLs to the Philippine Identifications System in partnership with the Philippine Statistics Authority on Oct. 1 and 2.
The bureau also implemented the Alternative Learning System Program in partnership with the Department of Education Dumaguete City Division which is done through a modular approach.
One modification they made is that they allow PDLs who have a background on teaching or who has a license to teach to mentor and educate their fellow PDLs and answer their modules.
Camacho also shared that they have collaborated with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in engaging PDLs on trainings on cookery, baking, siomai-making, and patty-making on Oct. 18, all of which are taught using pre-recorded instructional videos.
She said PDLs are also capable to take orders for making plant stands since some of them have undergone training on welding courtesy of TESDA.
Other livelihood projects that are undertaken by the BJMP include the production of weave wallets and painting.
“In spite of all the challenges that we face, we were able to tackle this pandemic by embracing the new normal,” Camacho said.
This year, BJMP has formulated its theme for the celebration which is “Magkaisa, Magtulungan, Magdamayan at Labanan ang Covid-19.”
Camacho said these efforts are fitting as it provides an opportunity for various stakeholders to take a unified action against COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Camacho said they will mark the observance with some activities like sports and acoustic band performances for the PDLS. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)
