As the country with the longest Christmas celebration in the world starting in September, inmates at the San Juan City Jail have started their "parol" (Christmas lantern) making since August in preparation for the yuletide season.
In a report from GMA, San Juan City Jail Warden Jail Senior Inspector JM Sabeniano said that around 150 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in the facility are participating in the "parol"-making program which aims to help inmates earn a living.
Sabeniano said that since the inception of the program, PDLs have already earned around P500,000 and sent their share of the revenue to their families.
"Ito ay isa sa mga paraan para maipakita sa ating mga kababayan na meron silang ambag sa lipunan. Pwedeng ang mga preso pala ang magbigay ng liwanag sa kanya-kanyang tahanan ng ating mga kababayan sa labas (This is one way of showing our countrymen that the inmates have a contribution to the society. That they may be the ones who can bring light and joy to every Filipino home)," Sabeniano said.
"Higit dito, ang gusto nating maituro ay ang kahalagahan ng marangal na trabaho. Hindi madalian. Hindi mabilisan. Ang ilan sa dahilan kung bakit sila nakulong. Kalakip din nito ang pag-asa na sa mga susunod na Pasko o Bagong Taon, sila na mismo ang magsasabit ng parol sa kanilang sariling tahanan (Most of all, we want to teach them about the importance of having a decent job. A job that doesn't make you earn so quick and easy, which are some of the reasons as to why they were arrested and are now behind bars. This program also gives them hope that maybe in the next Christmas or New Year, they themselves will hang the lanterns in their own homes together with their loved ones)," he said in his Facebook post.
The price of each parol ranges from P350 to P450 which can be ordered by contacting the San Juan Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) at 09153456310, or by visiting the Facebook page of the facility.