MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA)--To further raise awareness and consciousness to both private and public sectors of society as an integral part of the rehabilitation and reformations of those confined in the jails of the region, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-10 joins the country as it celebrates the National Correctional Consciousness Week 2023 with a theme “Dekalidad na Programang Pang-Piitan, Tungo sa Hangad na Pagbabago at Kaunlaran.

Under Proclamation No. 551 series of 1995, former President Fidel V. Ramos declares the last week of October every year as National Correctional Consciousness Week to provide an opportunity for persons deprived of liberty (PDL), jail officers, and the community to come together and engage in activities that promote rehabilitation, self-improvement, and a sense of responsibility.

“We are celebrating NACOCOW to raise awareness and consciousness to both private and public sectors since both are responsible for the rehabilitation and reformation of our brothers and sisters confined in jail or Persons Deprived of Liberty. This time, they could showcase and promote their talents and skills,” said BJMP-10 Community Relations Service Chief JInsp Don Felix Boado.

Celebrating the event, the BJMP Cagayan de Oro City Jail Female Dormitory prepared a series of activities starting October 22 until the 28th. 

The dormitory started its event with a Eucharistic celebration followed by a motorcade and a week-long sports fest. Aside from sports events, there are poster and slogan making, Parole and Probation Office gift-giving, legal consultation and counseling by the Public Attorneys Office, and singing and cheer dance competitions. Miss NACOCOW Pageant 2023 highlights the celebration. 

With the events being in place, BJMP-CDO City Jail Female Dormitory Warden JInsp Melanie Madarietta assures the public that security measures are in place not just for the safety of the PDLs but also for the guests and judges for the competitions. 

The Special Tactics and Response Team of the BJMP-10 Regional Office is also ready to assist the CDO City Jails in case of any incidents or occurrences.

“We have a red alert status now wherein all our personnel are reporting [to jail facility] to help safeguard our brothers and sisters in jail,” Madarietta said.

The celebration, she said, provides PDLs with opportunities to hone their skills and talents despite being inside the facilities, which would pave the way to develop camaraderie among their fellow inmates.

As BJMP-10 celebrates NACOCOW 2023, the bureau hopes the public will support PDLs by encouraging their positive transformation, recognizing their worth as individuals, and removing the stigma associated with their reintegration into society upon release. (JAKA/PIA10)