Solano jailbirds form NGO

Roger D. Sinot

SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya – The birth of a non government organization inside a jail is definitely a unique idea. The Provident Amazing Grace – Active Servant Association or PAG-ASA was conceptualized by no less than Ms. Rosalie A. Fernandez, a lady inmate who is well versed about what it is to bear another’s burden.

The NGO’s birth came a few days before the week-long celebration of the National Correction Consciousness Week (NACOCOW) from October 21-27, 2013. She must be one of the remarkable, educated woman inmates I have known. So dedicated in her simple ways of ministry inside the jail, she is a friend to the “little people”, the forgotten, the hurting and lonely people.

                

In her message during the NACOCOW week she said, “As we spend our lives inside this jail, we come to realize that we need not confine ourselves in a vacuum. We need to go out from ourselves, think that the cause of our detention – our court cases, is not the hindrance for us to live a normal life behind bars. We have to learn how to be self-reliant instead of waiting for support from the outside world and our families. Our suffering maybe hard to bear, but it teaches us a lesson which in turn, equips and enables us to help others.” Ms. Fernandez is a simple woman with great dreams, an evangelical humanitarian woman indeed.

                

My “vocation” here is over soon but my three-month stay is not put to waste. They say that the greatest waste on earth that cannot be recycled or reclaimed is our waste of time that is given to us each day. With the messages I heard, we can prove the outside world wrong.

                

JO1 Raquel Dorothy B. Delizo, IWDO Officer delivered her opening message of encouragement to the inmates saying that “although being in jail or coming from a jail is a stain on one’s name, we can still prove to the outside world that despite limited privileges we receive in jail, our plight inside is a challenge for us to continue our dreams and our faith in God, who gives us hope for freedom and a better future, and to hope for the better if not the best.”

                

Francis “Kanaway” Mondata, an inmate who founded and organized the TRICOM Communication Network of Cordillera Region and Nueva VIzcaya who is now the Vice-President of the PAG-ASA talked about the role of media and unity in an organization. He said “much of today’s disrespect for authority stems from disorganized or indifferent family life.

Young people reflect the attitude of their parents. Even with law and order, peace and security in the social world or community we are in, an increasingly vocal minority is revolutionary in its attitude. He further said that until the attitude of the government, the family where we are in, the home, the church, the presiding courts becomes predominantly “righteous”, the democratic form of government is in danger of being overthrown. “If we don’t have unity and respect for the truth, this minority will behave like animals,” he said.

On justice, Pastor Calvin Magno who belongs to an evangelical church that preaches in the jail once a week is listed as one the advisers of the organization. He said, “As the ultimate judge, God is our maker, He owns us. He is a judge who loves righteousness and hates sin. He is always just. If we are unfortunate to stand before a presiding judge in a court of law and a court of man, we still can hope that he or she is fair to everyone, regardless of who you are. God’s judgments are based on His wisdom, which is wiser than the judgment of man. In the courts of men, the common cry is “why all evil prosper and the good men suffer?” Take it from Dr. Jose Rizal and other martyrs, heroes of their times. 

The NACOCOW week was satisfying as well as a success. Here, we want to thank the following sponsors, namely; CINSP Alberto R. TapiruJr, jail warden; Congressman Carlos M. Padilla of the Lone district of Nueva Vizcaya, Governor Ruth R. Padilla, Solano Mayor Philip A. Dacayo, and Vice Gov. Epifanio LD Galima. To all the BJMP Solano District Jail personnel and the PAG-ASA Officers, Happy All Saints day and happy trails to all. rds