Dagupan SP seeks gov’t, community support for PDLs
TO improve and sustain the livelihood programs and activities of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) detained at the Dagupan City Jail’s male dormitory in Bonuan District, and as an after-care program for former PDLs, the Sangguniang Panlungsod recently passed two resolutions purposely for these objectives.
The first resolution seeks to provide financial, skills training and marketing support and assistance for their livelihood programs and activities.
The second resolution seeks to guarantee qualified former PDLs who are bona fide residents of Dagupan equal access to employment and livelihood opportunities available and offered by the city.
Both resolutions were sought by Jail Superintendent Roque Sison III to sustain the productive development of PDLs .
The PDLs currently detained at the Dagupan City Jail are engaged in the making of different handcrafted products which they sell outside the jail to support their personal needs.
To sustain their livelihood, the Dagupan City government will extend or provide support to the PDLs in their livelihood activities similar to the support extended to indigents, women, elderly, farmers and fisher folks.
The second resolution was sought by Warden Sison because of the “stereotype behavior of the community against former detainees, that often leads to their discrimination in employment and other livelihood opportunities, making it difficult for them to seek employment or avail of other life sustaining opportunities, compelling them again to return to their past criminal activities,” the resolution reads.
Both authored by Councilors Michael Fernandez, Jeslito Seen, Dennis Canto, Marcelino Fernandez and Joshua Bugayong and supported by the majority in the SP, the resolutions hailed the unrelenting efforts of City Jail Warden Sison to improve the lives of PDLs with skills enhancement training and livelihood activities.
Saying that providing former PDLs equal access to employment and livelihood opportunities is one avenue to lessen criminality, Sison underscored that like other identified vulnerable sectors of the society, people once behind bars also deserve a second chance. (Leonardo Micua)
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