SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) continues to provide livelihood skills training in pursuit of empowering persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in Mamburao District Jail.
The livelihood training equips PDLs with skills to earn money while keeping boredom at bay during their serving time, a press release from BJMP MIMAROPA said.
“The skills training is aligned with the BJMP’s welfare and development program, which supports PDLs in becoming more productive and responsible citizens,” Jail Officer 1 Hazel Urieta, Skills Implementer Officer of Mamburao BJMP explained.
Urieta added that the training also aims to help PDLs avoid returning to their old vices once reintegrated into the community.
Recently, 32 PDLs underwent training in peanut butter-making, facilitated by Acting District Jail Warden, Jail Senior Inspector Leslie Dangupon.

“The initiative is a huge help to the PDLs since the training not only provides a source of income for them but also equips them with skills they can use once they are released, giving them hope and a chance for a better future,” Dangupon said.
One of the participating PDLs plans to pursue a peanut butter business after her serving time is finished.
“Yung income para sa sarili ko, para hindi na mamroblema yung pamilya ko sa aking pang araw-araw na pangangailangan,” she said.
(My income will be for my personal needs so that my family would not be worried about my everyday needs.)
To provide wider opportunities for livelihood for the PDLs, the jail management plans on offering other training such as bread making as complementary training, and kalan de used oil or makeshift stove. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA-Occidental Mindoro/Story and photos from JO3 Joefrie B. Anglo/BJMP MIMAROPA)