PDLs donate to Mindanao quake victims
By Venus L. Garcia
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte,
Nov. 3 (PIA) -- Confined and denied a variety of freedoms under the
authority, the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Surigao City Jail were
not afraid of taking the liberty to exercise benevolence and kindness by
donating 30 sacks of rice to the quake victims in Davao and Cotabato.
Other than the outpour of
donations from several humanitarian and relief organizations, these more than
600 PDLs have also voluntarily contributed for a meaningful cause, slicing a
portion of their food ration.
According to JSInsp. Diovin C.
Auza, city jail warden, the value of said donation is P37,500 which is almost
equivalent to a day of meal allowance.
"It's like they skip three
meals for an entire day for the purpose of helping our fellowmen who were badly
affected by the successive quakes that struck here in Mindanao," said
Auza.
Auza admitted that the sincere
gesture of the PDLs to help the victims of the devastating earthquake was
totally unexpected and is the first to ever happen in Caraga region.
“I was indeed surprised when they
informed me of their unanimous determination, in which I believe that their
selfless act of giving assistance in their own little way could truly make a
difference. Our heavenly Master used them, the PDLs, to do extraordinary
things,” said Auza.
He said that for some, it’s
nothing out of the ordinary. But considerably worth a sacrifice for the PDLs
who genuinely promote and bring advantage to others, even if it means depletion
on their part, Auza added.
Alias Eric, a 47-year-old
detention cell leader, said they willingly did it to help alleviate the
sufferings of the surviving individuals in the calamity-stricken areas.
Also known as “Bantop” in the
detention center, confessed how he felt his sympathetic instinct and thought of
being fortunate to have been spared and away from such catastrophe.
While alias “Chris,” 50-year-old,
also said that despite of them being incapable to shell out a certain amount of
money they were still able to come up with an idea and opted to slash off the
allotted budget for their meals.
Meanwhile, Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology (BJMP) regional director JSSupt. Revelina A.
Sindol hopes that this also will inspire others, especially those who have more
in life to share and will motivate them to pitch in with no expectation of
receiving anything in return.
The donation was received by
commander Lawrence Roque of the Philippine Coast Guard - Surigao del Norte for
proper transport and delivery of relief goods. (VLG/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
