CABARROGUIS, Quirino (PIA) — The new warden of the Cabarroguis District Jail (CDJ) has been tapping various government agencies and the private sector for the rehabilitation of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL).
Speaking at the I Love Quirino on Air radio program at DWQP Radyo Pilipinas, Jail Insp. Janos F Taeza said some of the 141 PDLs who are mostly drug offenders were released through a plea-bargaining agreement and were rearrested for similar offenses.
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“They were not fully rehabilitated before their release and then they were again tempted to go back to where they came from which resulted in their arrests,” Taeza said stressing that more programs should be implemented to help them (PDLs) achieve full recovery and rehabilitation.
“Ang pinakagusto ko po kasi, na ma-rehabilitate sila, mabigyan sila ng livelihood para kung makakalaya man sila, may option pa rin sila na hindi na bumalik sa dati nilang gawain. Kaya yun po yung gusto kong i-level up, yung mga skills training natin dahil yun lang naman siguro ang pwede nating itulong sa kanila na kung talagang bibigyan sila ng pansin, yun ang mag-aangat sa kanilang buhay para hindi sila matukso ulit sa dati nilang kinagawian,” he said.
(What I want is for them to be rehabilitated, equip them with skills and provide them with livelihood projects so that when they will be released, they will not be tempted to go back to their old routines. We will level up their skills because that’s the only way we can help them so they can improve their life).
Taeza said they are working with various government agencies such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for skills trainings and scholarships.
“We also coordinated with the Quirino State University to help us in educating the PDLs in the labeling and pricing of their products like home decors, wood crafts, wall clock, soft brooms and others,” Taeza said.
Taeza also sought the support of other government agencies, non-government organizations, private individuals, and other groups to share their resources to the PDLs especially raw materials for their livelihood projects.
Taeza said he also want to implement the Education Behind Bars program at the CDJ to give opportunities for PDLs to pursue higher education while in jail.
“There is only one jail institution in the country that implementing this program, the Davao City Jail, wherein college instructors go to the jail to teach the PDLs and to help them acquire a college diploma,” Taeza said.
Taeza said their approach is more on restorative justice wherein they communicate with the PDLs, address their needs, and help them restore their well-being.
“We assure you that we will look after the welfare of our PDLs through our programs on health, sports, education, livelihood, skills trainings, as well as religious and spiritual activities,” the district jail warden said. (TCB/PIA-2, QUIRINO)
