DAVAO CITY (PIA) – The Parole and Probation Administration (PPA) XI recorded an increasing number of cases in the Davao region referred under probation, parole, and pardon, from around 7,000 in previous years to 10,000 recently.
“Maraming dumating na kaso na ni-refer ng court sa amin na naging probation, parole and pardon. We have around 10,000 clients now under the PPA-XI; parang 2,000 plus ang increase ngayon na ni-refer sa amin,” PPA-XI regional director Benjamin Cutay, Jr. said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on August 27.
(There have been many cases that have been referred to us by the court under probation, parole, and pardon. We have around 10,000 clients now under the PPA-XI; we see around 2,000 increase in referred cases now.)
Cutay revealed that from January to July 2024, they received a total of 3,568 cases for investigation for probation, parole, and pardon. Of these cases, 2,498 have been acted upon while 1,070 are currently undergoing investigation.
In terms of court supervision referrals, Cutay reported that they received a total of 8,454 cases in the same period. Of these cases, 1,225 have been discharged.
Cutay emphasized that the bulk of cases handled by PPA XI show a more speedy resolution and prosecution of cases.
He added that this is among the efforts they are undertaking to decongest jail facilities in the region.
As a community-based correction, Cutay said that they provided various assistance to their probation, parole, and pardon clients in coordination with various national government agencies (NGAs) and local government units (LGUs).
In partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Cutay said that around 688 individuals have received employment assistance under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay Sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) since 2023.
Meanwhile, 27 individuals have benefitted from the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) and 37 have availed of the Government Internship Program (GIP) both from DOLE since 2023, he said.
He added that there are 39 individuals under probation, parole, and pardon currently employed under job order status in various LGUs in the region.
Moreover, Cutay revealed that the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has assisted 318 individuals since 2023.
In terms of livelihood support, Cutay said various individuals were given livelihood assistance. This includes the livelihood projects on urban gardening and livestock raising from the Department of Agriculture.
To equip their probation, parole, and pardon clients, Cutay said that 57 of them have undergone training from several technical-vocational courses offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
In conjunction with this assistance, Cutay said that their spiritual enrichment, capability-building, and therapy sessions are continuously being conducted to ensure that their probation, parole, and pardon clients are living new lives in their respective communities.
“Lahat yan ay aming ginagawa para nga sila ay ma-transform into social responsible, economically productive, and law-abiding member of the community,” Cutya explained.
(We are doing all that so that they can be transformed into socially responsible, economically productive, and law-abiding members of the community.) (ASO/PIA Davao)
