BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City Jail has taken proactive measures to holistically develop Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL’s) through a series of monthly programs aimed to enrich marriage and relationships with their families.
This program encompasses Bridging Family Bonds Behind Bars (4Bs), Children’s Day, and Relationship Enrichment Seminars which are organized on the weekends.
During the Kapihan Session held on Wednesday, September 20, JSUPT April Rose W. Ayangwa, the Male Dormitory Jail Warden, enlightened the importance of these programs. She emphasized the importance of support to the PDLs in maintaining their strong ties with their families. “Treat everyday as family day. Sabi nga, family is love, family is life, family is forever,” Ayangwa stated. She also believes that family involvement contributes to their overall development.
The 4Bs program are home-visitations for PDL families which was started last June 2023 during their CRS Month Celebration wherein aside from “Kamustahan” or checking in on them, the families are given their basic needs, and counseling. Donations came from partner organizations and individuals namely; Dean Charesma Grace-Killip Lud-ayen of the University of Baguio, Pastora Eunice Yune and the Baguio Family and Friends Lions Club. This program also includes the Read-a-Book activity exclusively for the children which promotes education and bonding. The 4B program aims to help the families of PDLs who are unable to support their families due to their uncontrollable circumstances. As a testament to the positive impact of the program, it also serves as a reward for PDLs exhibiting good behavior during their time at the facility.
Meanwhile, the Relationship Enrichment Seminars tackles topics about marriage and relationship enrichment along with guidelines for maintaining a healthy marital life. These seminars often feature speakers from the Uplife Movement, Inc., providing valuable insights and guidance to the PDLs.
Children’s Day is held every Saturday of September in order to improve the relationships between PDL parents and their children. The program includes parlor games, gift-giving and open forums to promote open communication within their family. In a bid to further optimize the event’s impact, starting in October, Children’s Day will be moved to every Sunday of the month.
Furthermore, the Baguio City Jail held an event to celebrate the 31st National Filipino Family Week with the theme “Pamilyang Pilipino: Pagtugon sa Nagbabagong Pananaw at Panahon”. This half-day event brought together PDLs and their families, fostering a sense of togetherness and shared experiences over lunch. Simultaneously, the establishment’s employees and staff celebrated the occasion with a dinner gathering, highlighting the importance of family bonds within the institution as well. By Tj Ngaya, Joshmine Castaño, and Adrian Mas