CAGAYAN -- Bayong Fashion Bag created by persons deprived of liberty (PDL) is gaining popularity. In fact, there is a high demand for the native bags as manifested by numerous orders in Ballesteros town.
The Ballesteros District Jail Bayong Fashion Bags or BDJ Bayong Bags were first introduced by Jail Warden, Chief Inspector Mark Anthony S Saquing in August 2021.
Jail Officer-1 Marie Antonette S. Tagal, Unit Chief Help Desk Officer/ GAD Focal Person, said that this project started with an initial capital of P2,000 and involved 24 interested PDLs.
The bags are made from a hard plastic material called "Plehe".
According to Tagal, Saquing was very interested in the production of the Bayong Bags.
"Gusto niya maayos at iyong maganda ang labas ng pagkagawa (He wants nice and finely-crafted outside look of the bags)," Tagal told Manila Bulletin.
The PDLs did not disappoint as they were creative in design and most of their finished products are always sold out.
Tagal noted that it was September when PDLs started to master the making of bayong bags.
January 2022 was when the bags were finally starting to penetrate the market right after the Christmas season. The bags have become the alternative products the PDLs create, more so since there has been decreasing demand for Christmas lanterns which is also one of the livelihood products of BDJ.
From 24 PDL down to only 8 were left in the production because some were already released from jail, and some were transferred.
JCINSP Saquing needed to ensure that the Bayong Bags would stay on the lineup of livelihood products of BDJ, thus he assigned JO1 Mark Anthony Tayler T. Acoba as the Chief Livelihood Officer of the unit.
JO1 Acoba is a graduate of Industrial Technology, and with his inborn talent in visual arts, he initiated the innovations in the Bayong Bags by mixing colors and even applying paints.
Warden Saquing also tapped Tagal to initiate the marketing and selling of Bayong Bags.
Because of social media, these bags were now trending owing to their unique design, elegant look, and yet affordable.
When asked by Manila Bulletin, JO1 Tagal said with her experience as a manager and liaison Officer, the Bayong Bags are being patronized by other government agencies like the Department of Education and the BDJ family.
The income generated from these products will be given to the PDL who worked in the production of these bags, some will be used as working capital for the Bayong Bags and other livelihood products of this unit and the remaining will be used to augment some of the expenses of the jail.
JCINSP Saquing envisions BDJ as the livelihood capital of BJMP Region 2.
Saquing was thankful to those who had helped especially since their products have reached nationwide.