MALAYBALAY CITY (BukidnonNews.net/ 11 November 2024)—For 75 pesos, you can now buy Christmas lanterns handmade by inmates of BJMP-Malaybalay.
According to JO1 Loma Vicera, community relations service officer: “The lanterns produced by PDL (persons deprived of liberty) within our facility are part of the ongoing rehabilitation initiative designed to provide [them] with productive and creative outlets.”
She said more than 200 lanterns were already made and that production is ongoing for made-to-order items. Each lantern, priced from Php 75 and more depending on customization, is made of charol (“a kind of plastic thicker than ordinary colored [ones]”), bamboo, and other indigenous and recycled materials.
Vicera said that 60 percent of the sale is invested back for raw materials with a portion going to other projects of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Malaybalay, while 40 percent is the inmates’ share.
She added that orders were already made through Facebook live selling, messaging, and the KADIWA displays through collaborations with the BJMP Regional Welfare and Development Division and Malaybalay City Economic Enterprise Development and Management Office.
(Note: BJMP-Malaybalay said inmates gave written consent before photo-taking.–Ed.)
Thank you Bukidnon News for featuring our jail facility.