PDL arts, products feature at SM City Marilao


by Eloisa Samonte-Silverio
Spearheaded by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)Region 3,  the five-day trade fair at SM City Marilao showcase the arts and products made by PDLs coming from Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bataan and Zambales. Joining honors during the ribbon cutting are BJMP National Headquarters Director for Welfare and Development JCSupt. Felixberto Jagorin Jr and Marilao Municipal Mayor’s Executive Assistant Froilan Angeles together with (left to right) Provincial Cooperative and Enterprise Development Office Officer-in-charge Atty. Jayric Amil, SM City Marilao Asst. Mall Manager Engr. Janette Aguilera, BJMP Regional Director JCSupt Rebecca Pawid, DTI Negosyo Center Business Counselor Jelly Magno, SM City Marilao Mall Manager Engr. Emmanuel Gatmaitan and Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office Head Dr. Eliseo Dela Cruz. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Various arts and handmade products crafted by persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) are now on display at SM City Marilao during Bureau of Jail Management and Penology’s (BJMP) anniversary trade fair. 

Facilitated by the BJMP Region 3, the five-day trade fair that started on August 12 showcase the arts and products made by PDLs coming from Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bataan and Zambales. 

“Our yearly celebration is not just about the hard work and sacrifice of our personnel or agency. We also celebrate the persons deprived of liberty detained in all 37 jails in Central Luzon. We celebrate their skills, craftsmanship, and most of all, their transformation” shares BJMP Regional Director JCSupt Rebecca B. Pawid. 

According to the BJMP National Headquarters Director for Welfare and Development JCSupt. Felixberto S. Jagorin Jr., the purpose of the trade fair is to open an avenue where people can patronize PDL’s creation. 
 
“The trade fair here at SM is an avenue for our PDLs to generate income during their confinement in the facility for their personal upkeep and financial support to their families outside” Jagorin said. 
 
Jagorin  also added that the trade fair likewise serves as a platform to boost PDL’s morale while debunking stigma that surrounds jail inmates. 
 
“We wanted to showcase their skills to let them know that the situation they are in do not make them less of a person. Each one of them has the capacity to change, grow, and develop and we, at the outside, are their partners” shares Jagorin. 

Among the products on display are art paintings, native bags with hand-painted designs, twine bags, baskets, bead accessories, coin banks, rugs, handicrafts, home décors, and baked goodies. 

The proceeds of the trade fair would be directly given to the PDLs. 

Designed to usher smooth transition once inmates are release from jail, the livelihood program for PDLs involves initiatives on development and reformation to prepare the inmates for their eventual reintegration into the mainstream society as productive citizens. 

These programs are being undertaken in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as well as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). 

The Department of Education DepEd) through ALS, on the other hand, assists BJMP on the education of PDLs.  

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