A community within a community

CITY of BALANGA, Bataan – In celebration of the National Correctional Consciousness Week- Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the Bataan District Jail (BDJ) headed by Supt. Clarence Mayangao held several events actively participated in by the inmates. The weeklong celebration held last October 26-31 had for its theme “Maayos na pamamahala ng piitan, kaagapay ng bayan para sa pagtaguyod at pagtahak ng tuwid na daan”.

According to Supt. Mayangao, this annual activity is an opportunity for the inmates to engage in several worthwhile activities that will showcase not only their talents but also the results of the on-going rehabilitation program of the BJMP. Moreover, this also aims to raise social awareness in the community that there is also a community inside the Bataan District Jail.

Some of the notable activities were medical and dental mission; jail visitation by judges of the different Regional Trial Courts to give the inmates the chance to get an update on their respective cases; a health congress wherein the inmates attended a seminar on HIV; BDJ’s got talent; Mr. Kilabot and Ms. Bebot pageant wherein the contestants showcased their talents through their production numbers and paraded in the customary evening wear, sports wear, casual wear and national costume to name a few. There was also a Q & A portion and a coronation night.

Last Saturday, they also had the awarding ceremonies for the winners in the different competitions held during the year such as their Sportsfest. They also had a children’s party sponsored by McDonalds for the children of the inmates.

Some of the luminaries who graced the weeklong celebration were: BJMP Chief Chaplain, Antonio Gerente; Mr. Francis Garcia; BPSU Head of Research, Dr. Matibag; Judge Inovejas and Judge Quito.

According to Supt. Mayangao, these activities were made possible due to the overwhelming cooperation of the inmates and their families as well as the full support of the different NGOs such as the Bataan Dental Association, Clinica San Jose, Bataan Medical Professionals; the different government agencies such as DepEd, TESDA, DOST, BPSU; and the local government executives starting from Governor Abet S. Garcia, Vice Governor Bondjong Pascual, down to the mayors of the 11 towns and the City of Balanga.

Indeed, it is worth knowing that there is still life during detention and that inmates are afforded the chance to become productive, functional and responsible individuals even after detention.