BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) fosters partnership with civic organizations to reach out to the families of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs).
The BJMP-Baguio City Jail Female Dormitory and the Daughters of Mary Immaculate International visited families of two PDLs to provide assistance and spiritual support through the agency’s Bridging Family Bonds Behind Bars(4B) on June 27. Each family received food packs, hygiene kits and school supplies.
One of the recipients is a solo parent who is fostering 15 individuals including three children of a female PDL confined at the city jail. She expressed gratitude to the assistance they received saying that these will significantly help in their daily sustenance.
“Nakakataba ng puso kasi hindi mo ineexpect na yung blessing darating, nakakaiyak kasi hindi man halata kinakaya ko kasi para sa kanila, not to mention na solo parent ako, siyempre iiiyak sa tuwa at salamat Lord kasi siya ang gumagawa ng way para maging possible yung impossible,” she said.
[This is heartwarming because this blessing is unexpected. It might not be obvious but I am doing everything for them, not to mention I am a solo parent, and I thank the Lord because he makes ways to make the impossible possible.]
The other beneficiary is a father who is working as an electrician, and is providing for his three children. His wife is set to be reintegrated to the community in July.
“Sobra-sobrang pasasalamat ko po, malaking tulong ang natanggap namin” he said. [I am very thankful, this a big help to us.]
BJMP-Baguio City Jail Female Dormitory Development Officer JO1 Priszalia Manengyao said that this program aims to help the families of PDLs, and to correct misconceptions about the jail.
She shared that some civilians visiting the jail for the first time of the impression especially of have the negative impression that that “may hawak kami na pamalo.”
The 4Bs is a program initiated by BJMP-CAR in 2023 to enhance family connections, foster resilience and empower families of PDLs.
Manengyao also shared that the BJMP is working with agencies to provide skills training among PDLs to prepare them before they are reintegrated to the society. (Clienteast Van. B. Totanes-PIA CAR)
