Dependents of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) under the care of the Sorsogon City District Jail (SCDJ) are now empowered to build a more secure and dignified future, thanks to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and its Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP).
Earlier today, the Sorsogon Provincial Gymnasium in Brgy. Burabod, Capitol Compound, became a venue not just for ceremony but for hope and transformation.
In partnership with the City Government of Sorsogon and the SCDJ, DOLE facilitated the distribution of livelihood packages to four carefully selected and profiled PDL dependents. These beneficiaries now carry the promise of change—one anchored in economic empowerment, dignity, and self-sufficiency.
The event was graced by key leaders and stakeholders whose presence underscored the shared commitment to social equity and rehabilitation. Among them were Hon. Ma. Ester E. Hamor, City Mayor of Sorsogon; Mr. Mark Angelo H. Duana, CTT and Livelihood Development Specialist of DOLE Sorsogon Provincial Office, Jail Chief Inspector Louie Angelo C. Ungria, Acting District Jail Warden, Jail Officer 3 Mary Ann J. Buatis, Chief, Welfare and Development Section, and Development Officers Jail Officer 1 Ian Jay O. Frando and Jail Officer 1 Marc John B. Belen.
These livelihood packages are more than economic assets. They symbolize a commitment to second chances, not just for PDLs but for the families they have temporarily left behind. Through such interventions, the BJMP strengthens its broader mandate of rehabilitation and reintegration, reaching beyond jail walls and into the heart of the community.
This initiative also stands as a strong testament to the power of inter-agency collaboration. It brings together the social welfare lens of the BJMP, the economic vision of DOLE, and the grassroots leadership of the local government. More importantly, it places at the center of its mission the lives of those often overlooked in the journey toward justice and societal reform.
In supporting the dependents of PDLs, this effort helps break the cycle of poverty and marginalization—showing that rehabilitation is not confined to the detained, but is a community endeavor that touches families and transforms futures.
Indeed, this milestone is more than a government program. It is a statement of compassion, responsibility, and shared progress. The Sorsogon City District Jail, DOLE, and the City Government of Sorsogon have reminded us that when institutions come together with purpose, no one gets left behind.
