DOJ provides special job fair for 509 released PDL

VIDEO CALLS. PDLs at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City hold video calls with their loved ones via the Bureau of Correction’s “e-Undas” program on Friday (Nov. 1, 2024). The BuCor said it would lead a special Mass at the mass grave within the New Bilibid Prison Cemetery on All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2). (Photo: BuCor-PIO via Philippine News Agency/Facebook)

By Benjamin Pulta, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Crispin Remulla on Monday said 509 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) have been released in observance of the 30th National Correctional Consciousness Week (NCCW) and as part of the government’s jail decongestion efforts.

He said the released PDLs were those with expired prison terms, elderly or sickly, those qualified under the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law, and those granted parole or executive clemency.

Remulla said the DOJ and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) arranged a special job fair for the released PDLs.

In partnership with prominent business enterprises such as BP One Foods, Inc., Breakfast at Antonio’s, Pedro the Grocer, Balay Dak, and PGA Cars, the special job fair for former inmates is to explore and venture into various livelihood or business opportunities to help them reintegrate into society.

These activities also intend to ramp up the corrections system of the country aligned with the broader initiatives of the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC), composed of the DOJ, Supreme Court, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, to serve as a mechanism to streamline core justice functions by coordination and collaboration.

“Justice is an inherent right which should be accorded to both the free and the incarcerated, this is the true essence of delivering Real Justice for All under the Bagong Pilipinas brand of governance where human rights are always given paramount consideration,” Remulla said in a statement.

Remulla lauded BuCor Director General Gregorio P. Catapang Jr. for tirelessly exploring possible opportunities for PDLs to start a new life.