Inmates at the Mamburao District Jail in Occidental Mindoro are learning new livelihood skills to prepare for a better life once they are released.

Through the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology's (BJMP) welfare and development program, persons deprived of liberty (PDL) are engaging in productive activities like food processing and bread-making.

These efforts aim to provide them with income-generating skills while fostering a sense of purpose.

“The skills training is aligned with the BJMP’s welfare and development program, which supports PDLs in becoming more productive and responsible citizens,” Jail Officer 1 Hazel Urieta, the Skills Implementer Officer, said.

“We teach them with livelihood to give them a second chance and they will not return to their old vice in case they go out,” Urieta added.

Earlier, 32 inmates participated in a peanut butter-making workshop.

Acting District Jail Warden, Jail Senior Inspector Leslie Dangupon, spearheaded the program, providing materials and expert trainers.

“The initiative is a huge help to the PDLs since the training not only provides a source of income for them, but also equips them with skills they can use once they are released,” Dangupon said.

One of the participants sees it as a stepping stone to start a small business.

“Yung income [na] para sa sarili ko [ay] para hindi na mamroblema yung pamilya ko sa aking pang araw-araw na pangangailangan," she said.

The jail management plans to expand the product market and introduce more training, to help more PDLs support themselves and their families post-rehabilitation.

(with reports from JO3 Joefrie Anglo, IO-BJMP MIMAROPA)