Released PDLs’ reintegration program unveiled

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) is launching a large-scale reintegration program aimed at helping persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) smoothly transition back into society, according to BuCor director general Gregorio Catapang Jr.

In an interview, Catapang revealed that the initiative will be supported by several government agencies, including the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and Department of Trade and Industry.

“This reintegration program is an inter-agency effort,” Catapang said. “We’re focusing on it now because we only have six weeks of transition work left before the proclamation of new leadership.”

Under the program, inmates will receive training in livelihood skills such as abaca weaving, wood carving, bag-making and painting. Catapang cited that many of these products already have strong market demand.

“Even before release, PDLs will be involved in income-generating projects using the skills they’ve learned,” Catapang said.

“They already have the capability; the problem is keeping up with growing demand,” he added.

To support these efforts, BuCor plans to build large-scale facilities beyond traditional training centers. These will be modeled after Public Employment Service Office (PESO) zones, which are industrial hubs designed to house factories and offer employment to PDLs even before their release.

A key part of the plan is to ensure job continuity, and PDLs employed within these PESO zones will be eligible for regular employment with partner corporations upon release.

“By agreement, these companies will absorb the PDLs as regular employees once they are freed,” Catapang said.

Also, a Memorandum of Agreement was recently signed with the PESO hierarchy to establish what Catapang described as the country’s first “Mega PESO Zone” — a more than 5,000-hectare business area, likely in Palawan.

The project awaits a formal presidential proclamation to designate the site as an integrated economic zone.

In areas outside Luzon, especially where PDLs are released far from the PESO zones, BuCor plans to establish halfway houses. These temporary residences will accommodate about 1,000 PDLs nearing release and already engaged in work programs, providing housing for those working in partner factories.

Once freed, they can continue employment in the company’s main office.

The program is slated for implementation within the year, with funding support from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

A P6-billion budget has been allocated for the construction of halfway houses and related facilities and Catapang said that they are awaiting the DBP’s release of the funds, citing that “everything else is in motion.”