CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-10 and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-10 participated in the first National Painting, Handicraft Making, and Songwriting Challenge for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) across the country as part of their ongoing advocacy for a drug-free nation.
“Through this activity, it shows that our PDLs are with us in the campaign against illegal drugs. At the same time, this gives them the opportunity to showcase their talents in painting, handicrafts, and songwriting,” said Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division (LGMED) Assistant Division Chief Liza D. Ladres on behalf of DILG-10 Regional Director Wilhelm M. Suyko.
“With this, allow this activity to be a celebration of talents, a celebration of opportunities, a celebration of opening doors to everyone when it comes to contributing to the fight against illegal drugs, and finally, a celebration of being finally a step closer to a drug-free Region 10 and drug-free country,” she added.
The activity aimed to provide a chance for every PDL to showcase their artwork and encourage the support of the community to appreciate the works of the PDLs, who have poured their creativity and passion into their pieces. Furthermore, it will not only provide a platform for PDLs to showcase their talents, but also promote awareness and understanding of their stories and experiences.
In the painting category, the Cagayan de Oro City Jail-Male Dormitory took first place, followed by Malaybalay City Jail in second place, and the Cagayan de Oro City Jail-Female Dormitory in third place.
For the handicraft-making, Cagayan de Oro City Jail-Male Dormitory claimed first place, Iligan City Jail-Male Dormitory took second place, and Cagayan de Oro City Jail-Female Dormitory earned third place. In the songwriting challenge, Cagayan de Oro City Jail-Male Dormitory won first place, Malaybalay City Jail came in second, and Iligan City Jail-Male Dormitory finished in third place.
The winners’ immediate families will receive cash incentives. Meanwhile, the first-place finisher in each competition will qualify for the national level.
BJMP Regional Director JCSupt. Cesar M. Langawin stated, “BJMP-10 is doing our best to provide our PDLs with reformation and reintegration. Our commitment is to make sure they are released with the resources and assistance they need to properly reintegrate into society.”
BJMP-10, DILG-10, and ICAD Member Agencies, including the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine National Police, Department of Health, Department of Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, National Youth Commission, Philippine Information Agency, Public Attorney’s Office, Department of Labor and Employment, and Philippine Coast Guard (CGD Northern Mindanao), attended the event. (DILG-10/PIA-10)
