BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), through the Panag-aywan Iti Kailyan program, turned-over rain boots, school supplies, and other essential provisions to persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at Baguio City Jail Male Dormitory on May 21, 2025. The PDLs intend to give the items as a gift to their loved ones.
A touching moment during the activity came when one of the PDLs, who received several school bags and supplies, expressed his gratitude for the timely assistance and said that he no longer has to worry about the needs of his children when school opens. This simple gesture reflected his enduring regard for the value of education and highlighted the program’s broader intent to empower not only the PDLs but also their families as a crucial support system in their journey towards rehabilitation and reintegration.
In his welcome remarks, Jail Warden JCinsp John Wayland M. Lapon expressed his gratitude to BCPO and its stakeholder partners. He emphasized that such initiative contributes to the holistic development of PDLs, giving them a strong sense of community care and hope.
PCOL Ruel D Tagel, Director of BCPO, stressed that the Panag-aywan Iti Kailyan program serves as a proactive policing initiative aimed at addressing socio-economic drivers of criminality particularly offenses borne out of poverty, limited access to resources and opportunities such as theft.
He further stressed that crime prevention is among his five-focused agenda, with Panag-aywan Iti Kailyan acting as a key platform supporting this program through its various projects. These include Binnadang Kordillera which promotes the spirit of communal unity and cooperation; Balik-Akademya centers on capacity building, skills development and livelihood opportunities for PDLs and marginalized individuals; and Liwanag, a crime prevention awareness campaign which focuses on local crime trends, utilizes various communication channels, and engages community members.
In his message, PCOL Tagel said, “The Panag-aywan Iti Kailyan program rekindles hope amidst difficult circumstances. We want our PDLs to know that when the most awaited day of their release comes, opportunities for livelihood and reintegration await them. BCPO, together with our community partners, remains committed to providing avenues for a dignified return to society”. He added that the program aims to prevent repeat offenses by addressing the root causes of criminal behavior and helping individuals become law-abiding citizens.
The activity was made possible through the generosity of C&T Builders, JMLA Meat Trading, JVP Construction, Mapitagan South Elite Eagles Club, Evolve Industrial Supplies, and Inkorporate Office Solutions Company who donated the items in support of the BCPO’s proactive crime prevention efforts.
