PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) -- For nine years in prison, alias Girlie, has been involving herself in handicraft making. She kept her hands busy with beadwork and produced various products such as bags, wallets, and decor.

It became a routine for her, and she could finish a product even without a pattern for a couple of days. Girlie is paid according to the quality standard set by the prison management.

But this is not just a livelihood source for her; beadwork is also giving her a break from all the thoughts of being incarcerated for years.

“Malaking tulong sa amin, nababawasan iniisip namin. Sa probinsya pa lang ay nahasa na kami hanggang sa nadala na namin dito. Natutunan ko na lang at malaking tulong ito sa amin kaya ngayon ito ang hanapbuhay namin,” she said.

Girlie is one of the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) transferred from Mandaluyong Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) to Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF). The Sta. Lucia sub-colony of the IPPF houses 50 female inmates who just arrived in Palawan during the month of June.

They were aboard along with around 2,000 PDLs from the National Bilibid Prison as part of the effort to decongest it and convert it into a global city.

Living away from her family in Bacolod not only makes her struggle emotionally but also meets her personal needs. Through the sales of their products, she can save up the budget allotted for those needs.

“Tawid-dagat kasi kami, wala naman kaming pamilya dito. Pambili rin namin ito ng gamit,” she added.

Reformation of PDLs

The handicraft production of PDLs is under the work and livelihood program in reformation. Those who are not engaged in beadwork and crochet making are working on gardening vegetables, according to CSO4 Mary Ann Tabang, Acting Supervisor of CIW-Sta. Lucia.

Around 20 PDLs have been working collaboratively since August. The cost of materials for each worker will be deducted from the sales once they sell their product. Half of the net income goes to PDL while the other half is set aside for the work and livelihood program.

Each PDL has an allowable P2,000 cash limit per week from their income.

“Ibibili yon sa pangangailangan nila katulad ng pabili ng shampoo, mga personal na pangangailangan nila,” she said.

CTSO3 Carina Espora, Acting Deputy Supervisor for Reformation, said the marketing of the products is only word of mouth yet. They are also requesting online marketing of their products, which is still subject to the approval of IPPF Supt. Gary Garcia.

They also accept pre-orders of products relayed through other prison personnel. Espora expressed her hope to also be linked to markets outside and sell their products at a higher price, especially for tourists coming to Palawan and Puerto Princesa.

“Sa ngayon ay pinag-aaralan namin ang quality control, paano namin mapapaganda ‘yong mga gawa para makapagpresyo rin kami ng mataas,” she said.

Aside from livelihood, there is also educational training for PDLs under the Alternative Learning System (ALS), sports and recreation, health and welfare, and moral and spiritual teachings. 

IPPF on handling the first CIW

CO3 Mera Juna Jopida, Commander of the Guards, said IPPF undergoes adjustments in handling the first CIW after the transfer of PDLs from Mandaluyong.

“Araw-araw ay natututunan, nag-a-adjust din kami. Ang security ay walang pinagkaiba sa lalaki, ganon pa rin ang protocols, ganon din ang ibinibigay namin sa mga kababaihan,” she said.

There is a time schedule allotted for prayer and personal hygiene every morning, followed by meals through catering three times a day.

For Girlie, their new place is a lot better than her situation in Mandaluyong CIW, where she occupies one dorm together with the other 400 PDLs. Even without any idea of what Palawan looks like, Girlie and other PDLs volunteer themselves to be transferred to IPPF.

“Mas maganda dito, mas makatulog kami. Doon (sa Mandaluyong) nasa 400 kami sa isang dorm. Kapag raw lang pahinga—sa semento lang higaan namin. Mag-three months na kami, so far mas maganda dito. Ginusto namin na mapunta rito,” she said.

Jopida added that the prison management also modified its measures for handling women PDLs.

The prison management is also strict about men entering the CIW premises. There must be an authorization coming from the central office, she added. Male guards are only seen at the main gate and tower and are not allowed to be on duty inside.

Visiting privileges for PDLs started in August during Sundays to Thursdays, allotted for family and friends.

“Kapag may problema, babae rin ang tumutugon—Bawal ang conjugal (visits) kahit legal na asawa kasi iniiwasan natin na magbuntis ang PDL na babae,” she said. (RPG/PIA MIMAROPA - Palawan)