Baguio sets programs for female jailbirds

By Gaby B. Keith

BAGUIO CITY -- The Baguio City Jail-Female Dorm is implementing programs for the welfare and development of the 93 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) it is currently housing.
    During flag-raising rites at City Hall March 21, BCJ-FD officer in charge Insp. Vilma Fangsilat said programs are implemented in close coordination with partner agencies, nongovernment organizations and private individuals.
    She said the BCJ-FD is manned by professionals with expertise in the health and social sciences, education, public safety, and criminal justice, catering to the overall needs of PDLs.
    "These PDLs are also human beings who need humane treatment. It is for this reason that there are programs being implemented and enhanced guided by the principle," she said. "Besides, not all of our PDLs may not have committed the crimes they were charged with," Fangsilat added.
    She said the programs also cater to the PDLs' families, and the BCJ-FD is currently linked with the DSWD's Regional Haven for Women and Girls, Daughters of Mary Immaculate International-Our Lady of the Atonement Cathedral, and the Shalom Jewish Ministry International.
    Home visitations are conducted on the families of PDLs who are in dire need, and they are provided with medical, educational, financial and food assistance, Fangsilat said. She said her office has entered into a memorandum of agreement with Tesda-Baguio City School of Arts and Trades to continuously provide PDLs with livelihood training that they could use upon their release.
    "In addition to the assistance on Alternative Learning System rendered by BCJ-FD teachers to PDLs inside the jail, the same care is given to some of their children. Interested children are taught one-on-one, either face-to-face or virtual, depending on the agreed approach and schedule," Fangsilat said.
    The BCJ-FD, a Covid-free facility for the past two years, also participates in all efforts undertaken by the city government under Mayor Benjamin Magalong in Covid-19 management like the Bayanihan Bakunahan program and vaccination of all personnel and PDLs, she added.