Zamboanga City Jail bridges opportunities to promote PDLs' rights and dignity
By Chito Chavez

The Zamboanga City Jail-Male Dormitory (ZCJMD) has conducted conducted an inaugural summit aimed at further enhancing measures that will advance the welfare and development of the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) under its supervision.
Held in conjunction with the Bagong Pilipinas launch in Zamboanga City, ZCJMD warden jail Supt. Xavier Solda emphasized that the summit with the theme “All Together Now!” serves as a response to the urgent call for the relentless transformation in governance to provide the best services to the people behind bars.
A major highlight of the event was the recognition bestowed on Sister Dolorosa Calugas for extending spiritual programs in the jail since 2008 and for Dr. Paterno Cabrera for his support in providing free medical services to PDLs and jail personnel since 2013.
“Stakeholders from both the government and private sectors who attended the summit expressed positive remarks on the recent developments in the unit,’’ the ZCJMD noted.
Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe expressed admiration for the ZCJMD management's historic achievements in PDL welfare and development programs.
He underscored the importance of continuous transformation in governance and reiterated his unwavering support for the unit's endeavors.
“Your tireless efforts in ensuring the well-being, rehabilitation, and reintegration of persons deprived of liberty exemplify the transformative power of compassion and understanding,” Dalipe stated.
“Together, let us continue to explore innovative strategies and collaborative initiatives that will empower and uplift those under the care of our justice system,” he added.
Through the ZCJMD Welfare and Development Unit headed by Jail Senior Inspector Catherine Bongabong, the summit aims to foster the alignment and establish a shared understanding and vision between stakeholders and the jail unit.
Solda expressed his gratitude to the awardees while presenting the accomplished programs of the unit for calendar year 2023 and its direction for the current year.
“Nagawa po namin ang mahahalagang programa ng unit dahil sa inyong lahat na patuloy na nagmamalasakit sa mga PDL (We accomplished the important programs of the unit because of your continuous compassion to the PDL),’’ Solda declared.
Recently, BJMP chief Jail Director Ruel Rivera commended the Zamboanga City Jail Male Dormitory for its pioneering program on Islamic education wherein 74 PDL finished their Tahderiyyah classes.