
A total of 1,275 PDLs (persons deprived of liberty) at the Iloilo District Jail (IDJ) in Brgy. Nanga, Pototan, Iloilo received gift packs from Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. during his annual gift-giving activity on Saturday, December 21.
The gift pack worth 350 pesos each contains toiletries, noodles and loaf bread.
The annual activity was done in collaboration with the Iloilo Provincial Employees and Community Multi-purpose Cooperative (IPECMPC) chaired by Modesto Margarico, Jr.
In his message, Gov. Defensor reiterated his full commitment to help improve the facilities of the IDJ under the management and supervision of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
He stressed that he treats the IDJ a barangay and the PDLs as its residents that is why he wanted the jail facility to also avail of projects from the Iloilo provincial government.
He vowed to help improve the water system inside the IDJ and also put up a waste water management system.
Defensor also committed to establish a multi-purpose covered gym which could be used by the PDLs for their sports and recreation activities.
He also offered a livelihood program for the PDLs using the freshwater hatcheries of the Provincial Agriculture Office which is just beside the IDJ compound.
Provincial Warden Atty. Mark Malhabour thanked Gov. Defensor for all his help to the IDJ including the forthcoming projects.
He also cited the governor’s annual gift-giving activity which brings cheers to the PDLs this Christmas season.
Also present in the event were Jail Senior Inspector Dever Fantilaga, Acting Warden of IDJ-MD Annex and Assistant Regional Director JSSupt. Vicente Papelera, Iloilo Provincial Government Security Unit head Aaron Raymundo, and IPECMPC personnel.
To note, the gift-giving activity at IDJ started during the time of former Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. as his way of celebrating his birthday which falls on Christmas Day, December 25.
IDJ, formerly called Iloilo Rehabilitation Center, was then under the management and supervision of the Iloilo provincial government.
The tradition has since been continued by his son and namesake who succeeded him as governor in 2019.