Rosana Solite, the Regional Director of the Department of Justice -Parole and Probation Administration | CDN Photo/ Rashe Zoe Sophia Piquero
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Cebu City Parole and Probation Office No. 2 of the Department of Justice launched its first-ever collaborative program on the reintegration of probationers, parolees, and pardoners back to the community on Tuesday, October 24, in celebration of the National Correctional Consciousness Week 2023.
The Project Agak, which goes with the theme, “Unity of the community creates opportunity,” was introduced to the government agencies and community organizations to seek collaborative assistance toward the rehabilitation of the ‘clients.’
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Community tapped for Project Agak
Rosana Solite, the regional director of the Department of Justice –Parole and Probation Administration (DOJ-PPA) said the project was initiated to involve the community toward creating opportunities for work and social acceptance for their ‘clients’: the probationers, parolees, and pardoners.
“This is a vehicle. This is a project to help them become productive and law-abiding citizens in their respective communities,” Solite said in an interview with CDN Digital about Project Agak,
The launch was attended by several government and non-government agencies namely, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP), and the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP).
A representative from a religious sector was also present during the gathering.
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Open opportunities
According to Solite, this project would open many opportunities for collective action, especially in helping the ‘client’ to be more responsible and accountable with their actions.
“We know very well that work is a deterrence to crime. If a person is economically independent if a person has work or job, that is a deterrence to crime,” Solite stressed.
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Challenge
Meanwhile, Cirilo R. Maramba Jr., who serves as the overseeing probation and parole officer, highlighted a primary challenge faced by their clients after release: the difficulty in securing employment opportunities because of their derogatory records.
“Kung kana sila yam-iran sa mga tawo kay lagi naay derogatory record, samot nga dili na sila ma rehabilitate kay wala man silay opportunity nga makabarog, makatindog,” he said.
(If people would not accept the person because of his derogatory record, then they will not be rehabilitated because they don’t have the opportunity to stand by themselvess.)
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Why ‘agak’?
“Mao na nga ang atong project is “agak”, meaning ato sila tabangan nga makabarog. Ato sila tabangan nga mahimong bag-o nga tawo,” Maramba said.
(That is why our project is “Agak”[Project Agak], meaning we help them to stand. We help them to become a new person.)
The DMDP has made a commitment to offer clients comprehensive skill training and job fair opportunities. These include diverse skill training programs such as candle making, flower arrangement, food processing, and more.
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Additionally, the PMAP has expressed interest in potential collaboration with the Department of Manpower Development and Placement. They are considering covering a portion of the expenses related to the training programs.
Furthermore, they plan to conduct coaching sessions for clients to enhance their interview skills and boost their self-esteem.
Meanwhile, the DSWD has stepped forward, offering to provide Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) training for clients.
They are also considering offering start-up capital to individuals who demonstrate the capability to use it effectively following their training.
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Tesda extends support
TESDA, on the other hand, will extend its support by providing nationally recognized certification training. These include courses such as plumbing NC II, driving NC II, and domestic work NC II.
The Cebu City Parole and Probation Office No. 2 currently oversees a substantial caseload of nearly 2,000 clients, predominantly comprising of males in the 40 to 50 years old age bracket.
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