City officials recently recognized barangay Pag-asa or the Baguio City Jail as an honorary barangay of the city.
In a resolution, local legislators stated that the Liga ng mga Barangay and barangay Pag-asa commit to uphold the mandate of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and pledge full support to key areas of development programs, including livelihood projects, educational, vocational and survival skills training, moral and inter-faith activities, persons deprived of liberty (PDL) uniforms, hygiene kits, sports and cultural events, medicines, among others, for the preparation of PDLs eventual re-integration into mainstream society.
The council added that the aforesaid commitment directly aligns with the objectives outlined in the resolution to address the challenges faced by PDLs while confined in jail facilities.
The body claimed that PDLs face the harsh reality of confinement and constrained freedom, grappling with laws of autonomy, isolation and limited access to essential services.
Earlier, the Ling ng mga Barangay – Baguio City chapter adopted Resolution No. 16, series of 2024 that declared the adoption of the Baguio City Jail – male and female dormitories of the BJMP as honorary member or barangay and collectively naming both as barangay Pag-asa.
The council stipulated that the primary intent of the program is to unite the inmates as a cohesive unit, mirroring the structure of a barangay within society, and fostering their sense of belonging and importance.
Moreover, the said initiative provides inmates in both dormitories with the opportunity to engage more with the outside community despite their isolation.
Copies of the approved resolution will be transmitted to the Baguio City Jail – male and female dormitories and the BJMP for their information, guidance, ready reference and further needed action. By Dexter A. See
