BANGUED, Abra(PIA) -- Sugarcane products such as muscovado, sugarcane wine (basi), balikutsa, sugarcane juice are  usually sold during the trade fairs of Dapil Festival in this capital town.
 
What makes this year’s trade fair different  is the showcase of various products made by persons deprived of liberty(PDLs)  at the  Bucay District Jail.
 
Handcrafted cups and lampshades made out of coconut shells are  among the the buyers’ favorites.

The coconut cup costs P80 while the handcrafted lampshade costs around P1,000 each depending on the design. There are  also  various scented candles at P100 per piece. 

Jail Officer Mark Glenn Mamolang said that the participation of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) of Bucay helps the  inmates to earn additional income.
 
“Additional income ng mga inmates ‘yong sales dito at yung mga iba binibigay naman nila sa mga family nila during their visit,” he said.
 
Mamolang explained that part of the profit will be allocated for the procurement  of  raw materials of their products.

He shared that through  BJMP's  partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, various skills training   were conducted  to provide or enhance the skills of the PDLs for livelihood oppurtunities.
 
A total  26  exhibitors and Abrenian micro, small and medium enterprises  are participating in the trade fair which will run until Saturday, Feb. 24.

The trade fair is one of the  highlights of the Dapil Festival 2024 with the theme, "Embracing Diversity, Culture and Connection."
 
This homegrown festival is coined from the word "Panagdapil” which is the traditional method of extracting sugarcane juice. Sugarcane is one main agricultural products of Abra. (JDP/CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)