BJMP said that inmates are currently making handcrafted fashion bags, coin purses, stuffed toys, and indigenous products — items that are usually in-demand during the Christmas season. (Photo from BJMP)
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has urged the public to buy handicrafts and products made by persons deprived of liberty (PDL) or inmates for the gift-giving season this Christmas, to support their families and their path to reformation.
BJMP spokesperson Jail Supt. Xavier Solda in a statement on Monday said that shoppers would make Christmas brighter for inmates if their products are patronized.
Aside from Christmas trees and lanterns, BJMP said that inmates are currently making handcrafted fashion bags, coin purses, stuffed toys, and indigenous products — items that are usually in-demand during the Christmas season. There are also decorative products such as beaded bonsai trees, paintings, wood carvings, lamps, and flowerpots that are being sold.
“Hinihikayat namin ang ating mga kababayan na maging bahagi ng Pasko ng ating mga PDL sa pamamagitan ng pagtangkilik ng kanilang mga produkto,” Solda said.
(We are encouraging our fellow Filipinos to be a part of the Christmas celebrations of our PDL by patronizing their products.)
“‘Yon po kasing kinikita nila mula sa inyong binibili ang kanilang iniipon para ibigay sa kanilang mga pamilya lalo na po ngayong malapit na ang kapaskuhan,” he added.
(What they earn from the items you would buy can be saved and be allocated to their families, especially now that the Christmas season is near.)
BJMP has urged people to buy their Christmas gifts made by inmates. (Photo from BJMP)
Solda said that any assistance could go a long way as it would also help inmates change their lives.
“Tulungan niyo po sana kami na mabago ang buhay ng ating mga kapatid na nasa mga piitan. Pagmalasakitan po sana natin sila.” he added.
(Please help us as we try to help them reform the lives of our brothers and sisters inside jails. May we show compassion to them.)
According to BJMP, interested parties can post their orders and inquiries through Jail Officer 1 Jovelyn Domingo, Livelihood Program Monitoring Officer of the BJMP’s National Headquarters. She may be contacted through 0930-268-8533.
BJMP chief Jail Director Allan Iral, meanwhile, said that it would be good for the inmates if there are more avenues to showcase their products.
Wide array of products and handicrafts made by inmates. (Photo from BJMP)
“Aside from continuously improving the quality of the products, we should create more avenues and platforms to support the PDL products,” Iral said.
“Lahat po tayo, tulungan natin ang ating mga PDL sa pamamagitan ng pagtangkilik o pagtulong sa pagbenta ng kanilang mga produkto,” he added.
(All of us, let us help our PDL by buying their products or by helping them reach audiences who would buy it.)
-with reports from Trisha Manalaysay, trainee