By Brian Campued
“Paglingkuran. Damayan. Lingapin.”
In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to bring government services closer to the Filipino, especially the vulnerable sector, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) launched its first “Pag-asa Expo: Serbisyo at Katarungan Caravan” for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in Manila City Jail on Monday.
The inaugural Pag-asa caravan brought together the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), and the private sector to help PDLs receive essential government services.
As part of the initiative, 5,000 hygiene kits were also distributed to the PDL population of the Manila City Jail.
According to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), around 150 male PDLs and 50 female PDLs who are set for release benefitted from the program.
The Pag-asa Expo extended legal consultations, psychosocial counseling, “Balik Probinsiya” assistance, livelihood opportunities, and skills training, among others.
Barangay IDs were also provided, which the PDLs can use as supplementary identification for their application to the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program of the DSWD.
The PAO will also help PDLs in acquiring NBI clearances with “No Derogatory Record” for purposes such as employment, visa applications, and other official requirements.
DILG Undersecretary for Public Safety Serafin Barreto Jr. underscored the government’s duty to uphold justice and ensure compassionate service to people behind bars.
“Kami po ay may tungkulin na kayo ay paglingkuran, sapagkat ‘yan ang aming sinumpaan,” Barretto said.
“Hindi lamang tayo nagtitipon para magbigay ng serbisyo kundi para maghatid ng pag-asa, pag-unlad, at pagkilala sa dignidad ng bawat isa sa inyo, mga kapwa nating Pilipino,” he added.
BJMP Regional Office – National Capital Region Regional Director, JCSupt. Baby Noel Montalvo reiterated the BJMP’s commitment to support the welfare of PDLs.
“Tuloy-tuloy po yung aming pakikipag-koordinasyon sa mga institusyon at isa sa mga trabaho namin na talagang pilitin namin na ang lahat ng pangangailanagan ng ating mga PDL ay maibibigay po namin,” Montalvo said. “Kung ito man ay patungkol sa kanilang kalusugan, sa problema nila sa trabaho, sa kanilang kaso, lahat po ‘yun sisigurahdiin [ng] BJMP na matutugunan namin sa pamamagitan ng tulong ng ibang ahensiya.”
Meanwhile, the DILG is also planning to expand the Pag-asa Expo not just in cells but to other local government units to bring critical services to the people in the grassroots.
“Hindi po titigil ang Pag-asa Expo sa mga BJMP jails. Ibababa rin po namin ito sa mga LGUs,” DILG ASec. Liavel Badillo-Crisostomo said.
“Wala na po yung mga araw kung saan tayo ay pipili, kung saan tayo ay iiyak para lang makakuha ng serbisyo, dahil pera ng Pilipino ito, serbisyo na dapat ay para sa mga Pilipino. For the people, of the people, and to the people,” she added. (with report from Vel Custodio / PTV News)
