DIPOLOG CITY (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will be collaborating with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in rolling out skills training programs for jail inmates under its Community Empowerment through Science and Technology Program (CEST).

Aiming to improve the quality of life of marginalized sectors through science and technology, CEST has packaged S&T interventions focused on five entry points: health and nutrition, water and sanitation, basic education and literacy, economic enterprise and development, and disaster risk reduction and climate change mitigation. The BJMP and DOST are working towards establishing a bakery inside the city jail.

Currently, there are 27 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) undergoing training to receive their National Competency II in Bread and Pastry Production in preparation for the operation of the bakery.

The DOST has also started the procurement process for a dual-drum composter, which is a small-scale mechanized technology that will be used to manage the jail facility’s solid waste .

The overall goal of this collaboration is to nurture and develop the industrial capabilities of the PDLs and establish sustainable livelihood activities in the facility as well as ensuring their health and safety through implementing effective disaster risk reduction measures while promoting environmental protection and conservation through the adoption of environment-friendly technology. (RVC/EDT/PJF/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)