BUCAY, Abra (PIA) –Teachers of three schools in the municipality express their care and understanding to persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Bucay District Jail through an innovative project dubbed “SOBRE” for Sending Our Best Regards and Embraces through heartfelt connect.
Led by Dr. Mary Hazel B. Ballena, principal of Pagala West Elementary School, and Bucay District Jail Acting Warden JSINSP Franz Marc Ganitano, teachers distributed quality tumblers and a water jug to 58 PDLs at the facility. This activity called “TAGAY” (Take A sip, Gulp and Yield) aims to promote health and wellness among inmates, especially their hydration and protection from the hot weather in the province. Aside from the water containers, snacks were also served as part of the fellowship among the participants.
Ballena explained in an interview that project SOBRE is a regular program of three Schools here namely Pagala West Elementary School, Pagala East ES, and Bangcagan Primary School, with the goal of providing hope to the PDLs.
“SOBRE is basically an inspiring initiative aimed at helping our brothers and sisters who are behind bars. For instance, students and teachers write letters of hope and encouragement for the inmates,” she said.
“Other than that, ever since this project started, their health also became our concern so, we give them various gifts like shoes, daily supplies, and personal hygiene items,” Ballena added.
Project SOBRE was made possible through the partnership and support of the school’s stakeholders across the province.
On behalf of the Bucay inmates, Ganitano expressed gratitude for the love and support of the teachers in regularly visiting them during Fridays to bring support and hope to the PDLs.
“Maraming salamat sa mga teachers natin dito sa Bucay sa mga simpleng regalo na binibigay niyo. Kaya alagaan at i-appreciate niyo ang mga bagay na ito,” Ganitano said.
Ballena also shared that they are closely working with the Bucay Jail District on the marketing of the handicrafts made by the inmates for their additional income.
Ballena, the prime mover of the SOBRE, is a Civil Service Commission Dangal ng Bayan awardee for 2023, and a winner of the Southeast Asia Educational Innovation Awards Cycle 1. (JDP/CAGT-PIA CAR, Abra)
