BONTOC, Mountain Province – Rendering services to the community without expecting compensation in return which is the basic element of volunteerism is still alive among people in the province regardless of their social, political or economic standing.
This was proven by the 14 parolees and 33 probationers in the province under the supervision of the Parole and Probation Administration (PPA) – Mountain Province Parole and Probation Office.
According to Mountain Province Parole and Probation Officer Cosme D. Ibis Jr., among the Rehabilitation and Reformation Program of the PPA is community service. The parolees and probationers render service for the benefit of the community. It includes tree planting, beautification drives, cleaning and greening of surroundings, maintenance of public parks and places, garbage collection, blood donation and similar socio-civic activities.
In Mountain Province, Cosme cited that the parolees and probationers continuously help in cleaning the park at the provincial plaza, cleaning the roads and actively participating in community clean-up drives.
He added that the parolees and probationers conducted clean-up drive at the polling centers of the Bontoc Central School after the conduct of the local and national elections last May 9.
Also, tree planting activities in Barangay Maligcong,Bontoc and Nabua,Bauko were also conducted in support to the greening program of the national government to counter the effect of climate change. Cosme shared that parolees and probationers planted tree seedlings and fruit-bearing seedlings in Nabua,Bauko upon the request of a private land owner in 2010.
He added that most of the seedlings that were planted have grown as they conduct after care activities such as weeding and fencing. The seedlings planted were provided to the parolees and probationers by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
To ensure successful implementation of the program, the Mountain Province Parole and Probation Office and the Volunteer Probation Aides (VPA) in coordination with the concerned Punong Barangays conduct worksite and home visitations to the parolees and probationers where they reside.
Meanwhile, another tree planting activity is scheduled in July this year.
By Alpine L. Killa
