The Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory (QCJMD) has amplified its commitment to inmate reintegration by pairing the early release of 100 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) with immediate financial support, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said on Saturday, Nov. 1.
QCJMD Warden Maria Lourdes P. Pacion said the PDLs were granted freedom under the Araw ng Paglaya Program through the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA).
The PDLs simultaneously received earned wages through a separate government initiative.
Pacion underscored the significance of the dual support system as she stated that each released PDL received not only their release papers, marking the “beginning of a new life outside the jail walls,” but also financial compensation earned while incarcerated.
The wages were processed through the Department of Labor and Employment-National Capital Region (DOLE-NCR)’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
While the PDLs cannot handle cash inside the facility, their wages were converted into vouchers redeemable for amenities and necessities within the jail, offering crucial support as they transitioned back into society.
“Congratulations to our newly released PDLs. May this be the start of a brighter and more hopeful future for all of you,” Pacion remarked.
She also extended gratitude to DOLE-NCR for their continued support and service to the PDLs.
The GCTA-based release is part of the BJMP’s key paralegal intervention designed to address jail congestion and provide qualified PDLs timely access to legal remedies.
The approach has proven highly effective as the BJMP noted that from January to September 2025, a total of 69,052 supervised PDLs were released through paralegal assistance nationwide.
During the same period, 84,926 inmates benefited from the GCTA, and 27,826 received the Time Allowance for Study, Teaching, and Mentoring (TASTM).
The release ceremony and the TUPAD payout were witnessed by representatives from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) and the QCJMD records section.