The Puerto Princesa City Library has donated books and magazines to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Puerto Princesa City Jail Female Dormitory in Palawan, aiming to support the education and rehabilitation of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

BJMP Mimaropa information officer Jail Officer 3 Joefrie Anglo said the donation is part of the city library’s observance of the 66th Public Library Day, themed "Public Libraries in Action: A Blueprint for an Empowered Community."

“The project’s goal is to provide learning opportunities for personal development, well-being, and, ultimately, rehabilitation of PDLs,” Anglo said.

The donation includes 50 books and 14 magazines to aid PDL-learners, especially those enrolled in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Program.

Joymarie Olape, the city librarian, said the initiative also serves as an outreach program for geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) in partnership with BJMP-PPCJFD.

Library-in-charge Jail Officer 1 Marielle Viah Abario welcomed the donation and said it will benefit female PDLs greatly.

“We need the reading materials for our female PDLs, especially those who are enrolled in the ALS Program,” Abario said.

The dorm coordinator assured they would maximize the donation, as many of her fellow PDLs are eager to continue their education.

"We will really take care of the books," she said.

As part of the initiative, the city librarian also conducted an orientation on book processing and usage to encourage reading and make it easier for PDLs to access learning materials.

The book donation drive aligns with Proclamation No. 563, s. 1959, which designates March 9 as Public Library Day, led by the National Library of the Philippines (NLP) in collaboration with public libraries nationwide.

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