The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Davao City revealed that 80% of the female persons deprived with liberty (PDL) are detained for drug-related cases.
Jail Officer Michelle Yian said there are 369 female PDLs housed at the BJMP’s Female Jail in Barangay Ma-a, and roughly 295 are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The remaining 20% committed crimes relating to theft, estafa and even rape.
“There were 19 PDLs who were (recently) released through plea bargaining,” said Yian, who is with the BJMP’s Community Relation Service.
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Inspector Sweety Jel Roullo briefs media on Obra sa Paglaum, an exhibit of handmade crafts and paintings by persons deprived of liberty on June 22 to July 4 at Felcris Centrale. With her during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao on Monday was Jail Officer 1 Michelle Yian. Bing GonzalesYian also reported that the facility is now at 86% congestion rate but they expect to address this with the addition of a new building under a congressional fund.
The P40 million worth three-storey building is now 70% completed and is expected to be used within the year, Jail Insp. Sweeety Jel Roullo reported.
“It will be composed of 20 cells,” Roullo, the assistant jail warden, said.
To provide more assistance to PDLS, BJMP invites the public in the 12-day “Obra sa Paglaum” Exhibit.
The exhibit is in line with the 8th Community Relation Service Month celebration with the theme “Magbantay, Mag Ugnay, Magmalasakit.”
It will be held at Felcris Centrale on June 22 to July 4 that will showcase handmade art and craft of PDLs. The proceeds will be given to the family of the artists or the artists themselves.
The exhibit will showcase crafts including handmade bags, coin purse, key chains, bonsai, and coin banks made by PDLs. The materials are made from soft twine, beads, epoxy, and recycled card boards.
There will also be an exhibit of paintings of acrylic on canvass.
According to Roullo, Yvette Tan, one of the service providers of the female jail, trained the PDLs in bag crafting.
“This is for the PDLs to generate income and sustain their support to their families, and for the continuity of their livelihood,” Roullo said.
“This will be a great help to their families especially that they are the ones supporting their families outside,” Yian added.
According to Roullo, this is the third time they will conduct an arts and craft exhibit within the past three years.
In the previous year, they collected P10,000 in a five-day exhibit and they expect to earn more this year given the longer exhibit period.
