BJMP’s livelihood program supports detainees’ families

By Ernie Delgado

LEGAZPI CITY --- The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has initiated livelihood projects to boost productivity for detainees or persons deprived of liberty (PDL) in the Bicol region.

“Our mission is to prepare PDLs for their return to mainstream society as law-abiding citizens and productive individuals who can contribute to the community,” said Senior Jail Officer Ruth Castor, BJMP information officer for Bicol.

Castor reported Friday that nearly 3,700 PDLs in 29 jails engage in various crafts, including weaving, painting, and baking.

“Pinagyayabang po talaga namin ang (We take pride in the) economic activities na meron po ang aming jail facilities (of our jail facilities),” she said, endorsing the “impressive” quality of their products.

Castor identified several of them during her appearance at the Philippine Information Agency’s Ugnayan sa Bicol briefing.

“In Tabaco District Jail, we have the Bread of Love bakeshop kung saan po pini-feature po namin ang (where we feature the) chocolate brownies and cringles, and you guys have to try their Keto cakes,” she said.

For another, Castor mentioned the Lumin Art of Camalig District Jail.

“This is a lamp that you can personalize. If you distribute them as tokens or gifts at your events, you can put your face on the lamp,” she said.

She continued: “We also have beaded bonsai trees in Ligao District Jail, and we have beautiful doormats in Ginubatan and Pio Duran (district jails).”

“And of course, we have this amazing painting at the Libmanan District Jail and Naga City District Jail male dormitory. Skilled painters sila kaya ilan sa kanila ang kinokomisyon para magpinta (so some of them are commissioned to paint),” she added.

Castor said that the income is divided between detainees and their families, with 80 percent allocated to support their families, while the remaining 20 percent serves as a welfare and development fund for the detainees.

“While we don’t receive much, it still provides some support for our children,” said the husband of a detainee, who requested to remain anonymous.

His wife said that she felt more like a cook—specifically, a baker—than a detainee at the Masbate City District Jail (MCDJ) in Masbate City.

In her 30s, she is one of the head bakers of the bakeshop inside the MCDJ.

Castor said that the livelihood program is part of the BJMP’s two main responsibilities: ensuring the safekeeping of detainees and providing developmental programs for them.

“Hindi pwedeng kain at tulog lang sila. Kailangan meron silang sinusunod na programa upang kahit nakakulong sila meron pa ring something to look forward to everyday. Produktibo pa rin sila kahit nasa loob sila ng aming mga kulungan,” she stressed.

(It’s not right that they do nothing but eat and sleep. They need to follow a program so that even though they’re incarcerated, they still have something to look forward to every day. They’re still productive even though they’re in our prisons.)

She said that individuals in BJMP custody haven’t been convicted and may be awaiting trial or sentencing.

Castor noted that the livelihood program has been beneficial for the detainees, as evidenced by its duration of operation.

“Example ang Tabaco District Jail. Yung Bread of Love bakeshop began operating in 2016 and continues to serve customers to this day,” she said.

She emphasized that community involvement is crucial for the program’s sustainability.

Only last June 21, the BJMP held a fun run with over 6,000 participants, benefiting its livelihood program for detainees.

“Malaki ang suporta na naibigay ng community dahil hindi lang sila nakatakbo kundi nakatulong pa sila dahil the event raised additional funds from the singlets,” she said.

(The support from the community was great because not only did they run but they also helped because the event raised additional funds from the singlets.)

“Nagkaroon din po kami ng ultra-marathon, and we were able to raise over P145,000 na ibinigay namin sa mga pamilya ng PDLs. So limang pamilya po ng PDLs ang nagkaroon ng kani-kanilang sari-sari stores,” she said.

(We also had an ultra-marathon, and we were able to raise over P145,000 which we gave to the families of PDLs. So five families of PDLs had their own sari-sari stores.)

“Binigyan po natin sila ng pagkakataon na magkaroon ng income sa paraang noble,” she added.

(We gave them the opportunity to have an income in a noble way.)

Castor encouraged communities to support the programs of jail facilities, especially those in livelihood, saying “if you are buying products for your tokens and souvenirs sa amin na lang po kayo bumili kasi malaking bagay ang nabibigyan natin ng economic opportunities ang PDLs.”

Each district jail maintains a Facebook page where they promote the products made by PDLs, she said. (PIA Bicol/Masbate)