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Philippines

700 PDLs in Bacolod participate in 'wish upon a Christmas Tree' activity

Philippines

700 PDLs in Bacolod participate in 'wish upon a Christmas Tree' activity

By Glazyl Masculino

BACOLOD CITY — With Christmas fast approaching, the Metro Bacolod District Jail (MBDJ)-male dormitory (MD) in Barangay Singcang-Airport is making sure persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) here would feel the holiday spirit event behind bars.

Part of their activities is the “Wish upon a Christmas Tree” where their wishes, written on sticky notes, were placed by jail officers.

Officials of the Metro Bacolod District Jail (MBDJ)-male dormitory (MD) start their annual “Wish upon a Christmas Tree” that aims to give persons deprived of liberty a chance to feel the true spirit of the holiday season. (Photo courtesy of MBDJ-MD/Manila Bulletin)

Most of the PDLs wishes were groceries and clothes while others wrote personal wishes for their families.

The activity started last year considering that the pandemic prohibited visitation in jails, which was more difficult for the PDLs to see their families especially on special occasions.

According to the MBDJ-MD, the homesickness of the PDLs, around 700 of them, doubled during the pandemic since their families could not easily see them as some of them were also affected by the pandemic.

After getting wind of the activity, some call center firms, policemen, bikers, and other private individuals have already pledged to fulfill the wishes of the PDLs or even provide them with something special for their needs inside the facility.

Anyone can pick small notes on the Christmas tree and grant the wishes of the PDLs until December 24.

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