Manila City Jail launches 2 livelihood projects for former inmates

The Manila City Jail Male Dorm has launched two new projects providing sustainable livelihood opportunities for former Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) who are seeking to rebuild their lives post-incarceration.

The first project, “Kariton ng Bagong Buhay at Pag-asa,” provides kariton or food carts made by current inmates. Three former prisoners were given kariton with cooking equipment and ingredients they could use to start selling food.

Spearheaded by Judge Maria Sophia Solidum-Taylor, Presiding Judge of the Metro Manila Regional Trial Court 3, this project provides aftercare support to PDL with drug-related cases under her jurisdiction.

One of beneficiaries is Jessie Morales, the third and latest recipient, who will sell food in Aroma Street, Tondo, Manila. He was imprisoned from August 2023 to February 2024 for a drug-related cause.

“Lumalaban lang ako eh. Alam kong pagsubok lang naman sa ‘kin ‘to eh,” the 46-year-old said during the launch event held at Manila City Jail’s St. Dimas Chapel in Sta. Cruz, Manila on Tuesday.

Jessie said that he is very thankful for the kariton as it is a way for him to start a new life. Jessie added that following his imprisonment, he has been testing negative for drugs.

“Masayang-masaya po ako. Mayroon na po akong hanapbuhay na pagkakakitaan para magampanan ko ‘yung mga tungkulin sa pamilya ko,” he said in a media interview following the program.

Following incarceration, Jessie added, “Malaya na po ako dahil mayroon na ‘kong hanapbuhay para matuluyang matulungan ko ‘yung asawa ko, tapos pangangailangan ng mga anak ko.”

Judge Taylor also said that this project is a way to give hope and inspiration to the inmates to prevent them from falling into depression and addiction.

“I call upon the national government and the Congress, the Senate, to institutionalize, to put into law the institutionalization the aftercare, the livelihood program for PDLs, drug offenders para mabigyan talaga sila ng second chance in life,” Judge Taylor said. “Because these people, just like us, we’re all flawed. But if you give them a chance and if you give them hope, magbabago po talaga sila.”

The staff and officers of the Manila City Jail also make sure to visit the former PDL and their kariton to make sure that they are using these for good.

The other project is “Padyak Para sa Pagbabago,” which was initiated by Superintendent Lino M. Soriano, City Jail Warden. It aims to support the livelihoods of both current and former prisoners.

Current prisoners will make one of Panederia de Manila’s—the Manila City Jail Dorm’s in-house bakery—newest offerings, which is the Pandelino or special pandesal baked with peanut butter. Then, former prisoners will sell these around the city on bikes. They will also keep the earnings from their sales. 

The projects are aligned with Manila’s “Kalinga sa Maynila” program, which supports Manileños in becoming more productive and responsible citizens.

Manila Mayor Hon. Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan said in her speech at the event that these projects are important to give former inmates something to look forward to when they leave the prison.

“Ako naman po ay naniniwala na kayong lahat ay mga pawang biktima lang ng sirkumstansya at sitwasyon sa inyong paligid. Wala naman sigurong gusto maging masama. Kaya lang, napakahirap talaga siguro ng buhay ngayon,” she told the inmates.

“Sana lang, pakiusap ko, ‘wag po tayong bibitaw. Patuloy po tayong manalig sa Diyos at magtiwala po sa ating sariling kakayahan.”

Meanwhile, the Cyber Communication Center, funded by the Rizal Technological University Laboratory High School Batch 1993 and in active participation of Judge Taylor was also opened during the event.

The facility is located at the North Sector of Manila City Jail Male Dorm and will offer free 15-minute access to video conferencing and phone calls between PDL and their loved ones.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News