South Cotabato jailbirds build coffins, make Christmas decor

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines — Some inmates at the South Cotabato Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center keep themselves busy these days building coffins.

Felisito Gumapac, acting jail warden, said the coffin-making project started in June, with lumber, nails, paint and tools provided by the South Cotabato provincial government.

He said the coffins are then bought by the provincial government for its burial assistance program.

“The coffins are part of the burial assistance the provincial government gives to indigents who cannot afford coffins for dead relatives,” Gumapac said.

“For every coffin the prisoners make, the provincial government pays P350,” Gumapac said in an interview on the local radio station dxOM-FM.

He said since the start of the project, about 100 coffins have been turned over to the provincial government, with the proceeds divided among the participating inmates.

Gumapac did not say how many inmates were involved in the project; the facility has about 900 prisoners.

He said inmates not involved in the coffin project for whatever reason are given other forms of livelihood, such as making Christmas decor and other handicrafts which they could sell.

Gumapac said that apart from being provided with some form of livelihood, the inmates at the jail are also enrolled in non-formal courses to help them find jobs after their release.

He said a school building within the provincial jail is being constructed and is nearing completion.

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