|
|
A R T I C L E S
| News And Events
Ray of Hope GK Village - Ma-a City Jail
by Nell Macaraeg
|
Nell Macaraeg - GK Worker, Davao City
It was indeed a blessed day in the lives of Women Inmates at the Davao City Jail on a sunny afternoon of March 3, 2008. It was the day when they all finally got out from the congested detention cells where most of them were confined for so many years. But no! They will not go home yet, they will just be transferred to Colored GK Cottages where they can enjoy the ambiance of a HOME TYPE JAIL inside the City Jail Compound, first time in the History of Philippine Penology and Management and the first ever GK Village inside a Jail Facility in the country.
On that significant day, ten (10) GK cottages (5 duplex) were opened and turned over to more than 100 female inmates of Ma-a Davao City Jail to serve as their home during their confinement period. A very touching scene transpired when the huge steel gate of the GK Village was finally opened and all the female inmates in their pink uniform entered with tears in their eyes, surprised to see the beautiful and landscaped houses that would become their new detention facility.
Each cottage has tiled comfort room, unlike in the previous confinement facility which has only one common rest room. The cottages have windows and doors with decorative grills painted in white; it has cabinets for personal belongings of the occupants, it has verandas and landscaped gardens keeping a home-like ambiance especially for the mothers. These cottages will serve as sleeping quarters during the night and are convertible into multi-purpose rooms during day time to serve as venue for prayer meetings and counseling, music room, classroom, working area and for other rehabilitation activities. Aside from the cottages built inside the 5,400 sq.m. lot, a Multi-Purpose Hall was also constructed which will be used for sports and recreational activities, livelihood & skills training, literacy program, health services and other rehabilitation and After Care Programs.
This GK Village was conceived in March 2005 when a Memorandum of Agreement was signed by Bureau of Jail Management & Penology –Davao City and Gawad Kalinga for the benefit and welfare of women inmates. It was made possible when Davao City Female Jail was finally turned-over to the new administration of a Female Jail Warden, SINSP GRACE S. TACULIN. Through her efforts and in collaboration with GK and its major partner, the NCCC Cares Foundation, with the support of City Government of Davao and other NGOs like Womeynet, ZONTA Club, Soroptimist International of Davao, Marist Community, various religious organizations and concerned individuals who unselfishly shared their talents and resources to those who are incarcerated law offenders, building of the community of hope started to materialized, thus, the birth of “Ray of Hope GK Village”.
The turnover ceremony coincided with the groundbreaking of Ray of Hope GK Village Phase 2 in the same compound. Another Ten (10) cottages will be constructed by Gawad Kalinga in partnership with Metro Davao Sports Association (MEDSA) and the Local Government who provided the Multi Purpose Hall and started the concreting of grounds and drainage system. A mess hall, visiting area, kitchen, biogas facility and administrative building are also included in the site development plan.
The Opening and Turn over ceremony of NCCC Cares Ray of Hope GK Village and the Groundbreaking of MEDSA Ray of Hope GK Village was attended by Davao City Chief Executive, Hon. Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Chief of BJMP, Director Armando Llamasares, Councilor Nilo Abellera, Hon. Judge Isaac Robillo -RTC Branch 13, BJMP District Jail Wardens from Kapalong, Montevista, Samal, Panabo, Tagum, Mati, Digos, Lupon, and Malita, Sr. Josephine Bacaltos, Head of the Women Network Group, Mr. Lafayette Lim, Pres. of NCCC Cares, Mr. Sammy Uy, Pres. of MEDSA, Officers of Ayala Business Club of Davao, ZONTA Club, Soroptimist of Davao, Marist Community, Coordinators from Dept. of Education & TESDA, Couples for Christ, Handmaids of the Lord, Gawad Kalinga Davao Management Board, and Gawad Kalinga Caretaker Team.
The event was graced by Hon. Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who said that he will adopt the penal practices from Mexico to allow the children of female inmates, 7 yrs old and below to be with their mothers inside the compound especially that the female jail facility has now an ambiance of a home.
Director Armando Llamasares, Chief of BJMP, likewise said that he will issue a Memorandum to all Regional BJMP Officers that the same concept of a home-type female jail should be replicated in their respective areas. He will also make sure that there will be provisions for water and electricity and will provide funding for livelihood programs. He also committed that BJMP will supervise and maintain the development of the facilities as per designed perspective and see to it that they would not just provide shelter for the inmates but would also help them uplift their lives inside the jail to prepare them to the life that awaits them outside.
NCCC Cares President, Mr. Lafayette Lim, GK and BJMP major partner on this village, also said that they will continue to give their support to provide for the needs of the female inmates in whatever form.
On the other hand, Sister Josephine Bacaltos, Head of the Women Network Group who spearheaded the programs for women inmates said that though they are penniless and would just depend on the resources of other NGOs partners, pledged to continue their intervention to give the women hope, so that they will have a new beginning and become productive individuals when release from detention.
These overwhelming commitments of supports are affirmations of Gawad Kalinga’s work in building our nation, of transforming the lives of the poor and marginalized to a life with dignity and pride – that would bring positive changes in our country today and that this generation will continue to DREAM with a ray of HOPE for a better tomorrow.
Date added 2008-03-17 12:18:18
|
|
| C O M M E N T S | Add Comment |
 andy | i give to the Lord for he letting the inmates to see a new Hope for new a beginig,Let us continue conquering the world untill all will kneel down before christ,,, let us Give hope For the poorest of the poor . lets continue embracing theme,let us share our bleesings to theme ... love you God ,
Date added 2008-04-09 20:45:13 |
|
