PDLs thankful to inclusive gov’t services in Caraga
By Kelvin Kennt R. Generalo
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur (PIA) – As part of the 14th anniversary of the Community Relations Service (CRS) Month of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Caraga, Jail Senior Inspector (JSInsp.) Rosalito A. Reyna, warden of the Bislig District Jail shared how the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) access and avail of the government’s various programs and services even inside the jail, during the Kapihan sa PIA episode on June 18, at SM City Butuan.
Reyna explained that the BJMP has ongoing efforts to raise public awareness in the communities to help prepare the PDLs for their reintegration and life after release.
“From the moment they enter the facility, we conduct a thorough assessment to identify their needs—whether educational, psychological, spiritual, or vocational. Based on these assessments, we create individual profiles and group them with others who have similar needs to provide targeted interventions,” he added.
He cited the BJMP’s offer on Alternative Learning System (ALS) program and technical and vocational skills training, in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), to equip the PDLs with the right knowledge and skills that will help them on future employment once they are released from the BJMP’s custody.
“We prepare every PDL for their eventual release from jail. If they need education, we provide ALS. If they need skills, we offer skills training programs under TESDA. If they seek spiritual growth, we have interfaith programs. And if they want to learn how to grow plants and crops, we teach them with the help of the agriculture sector,” Reyna said.
“The BJMP acts as a bridge to assist the families of PDLs, especially those who are living in poverty. We understand that many of them lack access to opportunities and support systems. That’s why the BJMP steps in to help,” he added.
Through its partnerships, the BJMP helps identify families in need and refers them to appropriate agencies. For basic necessities and welfare assistance, they coordinate with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). For health-related concerns, they reach out to health institutions such as local hospitals and rural health units.
Reyna further shared that they have jail nurses assigned to regularly monitor and take care of the health of the PDLs. “We are proud of our jail nurses in various facilities. They take a preventive approach to healthcare, ensuring that PDLs are well taken care of inside the jail. We bring them to the hospital if their condition becomes severe,” he stressed.
“Our jails are very active when it comes to health services. Daily medical consultations are conducted, especially for senior PDLs,” he added.
He also highlighted that the PDLs were able to exercise their right to vote during the recent national and local elections in their respective jail facilities and assured that it will continue in the future upcoming elections.
“BJMP Caraga is truly fortunate because the majority of our jail facilities now have onsite voting. Most of our PDLs can now vote within the jail premises,” he said. “With onsite voting, we no longer need to transport PDLs outside the facility. They cast their votes by shading the ballots inside the jail. The authorized election personnel, escorted by BJMP officers, submit their votes to the cluster precincts.”
The implementation of onsite voting is part of the BJMP’s commitment to uphold the rights of PDLs particularly to suffrage with strong collaboration from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), strengthening democratic participation and ensuring the safety and dignity of PDLs throughout the electoral process.
Reyna emphasized that the BJMP’s approach is holistic, focusing not only on discipline and security but also on rehabilitation, reintegration, and restoring the dignity of every PDL. (KKG, PIA Agusan del Sur)