The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said on Wednesday, Jan. 25, that its welfare and development program for the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) has transformed from the Holiday season lantern-making activity to a year-round money earning process.
BJMP-National Capital Region (NCR) Director Chief Supt. Efren Nemeno said the PDLs under his supervision are busy and have been capable of supporting their families from the income they earn from the livelihood programs implemented by the bureau.
He noted that the BJMP-NCR jail wardens “are doing good in introducing money-making works ably initiated by the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) and Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA).’’
Nemeno made special mention of the San Juan Male Dormitory for enhancing the ability of its PDLs in woodworking and furniture-making livelihood under the “Nakakulong Ngunit Nakakatulong” (Detained But Helpful) project.
He said that the Quezon City Jail Male Dorm and the Manila City Jail, two of NCR’s most populous facilities are now focused in automotive training and rug-making activities respectively among other routines.
The BJMP-NCR chief stated that the Caloocan City Jail Male Dormitory is now upgrading its production capacity and food safety compliance on bread and pastry program the same with the Las Pinas City Jail Female Dorm.
On the part of the Metro Manila District Jail (MMDJ) Annex 2 and 5, Makati City Jail Male Dorm and the Mandaluyong City Jail,Nemeno disclosed that the PDLs are now focused on Barista training courses.
Barista is a person whose job involves preparing and serving different types of coffee.
It comes from Italian and Spanish where it means a male or female “bartender” who typically works behind a counter serving hot drinks, cold alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks.
Nemeno said that other courses under TESDA such as cold meals preparations and food processing are being conducted by the “jailbirds of Valenzuela and and Taguig female dormitories while the wards of Makati City Jail Female Dorm are enhancing their capability in contract tracing and hilot wellness activities.’’
The Pasig City Male Dorm and the Paranaque Female Dorm are into the tie dying activities.
Nemeno stressed that the livelihood program presents income-generating activities to the PDLs during their confinement where they are able to earn for their personal upkeep and for financial support to their families.
A welfare and development officer (WDO) facilitates the sale of the products in display centers or livelihood centers or livelihood caravans organized by the local government units and other service providers. (Chito A. Chavez)