A total of 140 personnel and 260 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) of the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory (QCJMD) were subjected to drug testing, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said.
QCJMD warden Supt. Warren Geronimo explained that the activity serves as a tool in promoting a drug-free environment inside the jail facility and a reflection of the jail bureau's strong commitment in countering illegal drugs including its users and distributors for the safety of its personnel and PDLs.
In collaboration with the Quezon City Anti-Drug Abuse Advisory Council (QCADAAC), Geronimo said that all the QCJMD personnel and PDLs were tested negative for illegal drugs.
The QCJMD also stressed that the Katatagan, Kalusugan at Damayan ng Komunidad (KKDK) program uses psycho-educational interventions that promote the recovery and well-being of the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), who were into illegal drugs.
During the recent KKDK sessions, the PDLs shared their experience and the valuable lessons they acquired as they commended the BJMP for establishing a program that provides them the opportunities toward the right path of reformation.
In return, the PDL participants vowed to commit themselves in continuously trekking the “recovery journey and to live a drug-free life.’’
Geronimo bared that recently, 12 Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory PDLs graduated from the KKDK program as the next batch of 35 qualified PDLs were oriented under the Welfare and Development Unit.
The BJMP also stressed that the PDL’s livelihood skills were uplifted with the 1,200 hito (catfish) donation of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to the Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory.
With the facility’s enhanced “aquatic technology’’ resources, Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory warden Chief Inspector Lourvina Abrazado thanked the BFAR-NCR led by Director Noemi Lanzuela for the initiative that provides “additional livelihood opportunity and rehabilitation’’ to the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) under her watch.
Led by Abrazado, the fingerlings were placed at the aquaponics of the facility as part of the its ongoing effort to promote rehabilitation and empower the PDLs through skill-building.
Aside from providing skills enhancement and livelihood opportunities, the Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory also provided its PDLs with valuable lessons on their rights and lawful options to protect themselves against any form of sexual harassment.
Jail Officer 2 (JO2) Marisheil Pias and JO2 Esteve Malekchan conducted the lecture that gave the female PDLs the opportunity to learn the proper steps and legal ways to take in the event such violative rights on their part take place.
The resource persons also briefed the female PDLs on the “Modes of Releases’’ or the different methods of release, including the legal processes and “options available to PDLs.’’
Through the detailed explanations, the Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory stated that the PDLs became more clear on the steps they can take to expedite their exit or achieve possible adjustments to their situation.
Abrazado pointed out that the initiative showed the BJMP’s dedication to provide adequate knowledge and education to the residents and proved that the efforts support the PDLs’ improvement and development.