"Bilis Release" program highlights nat'l correctional consciousness week in Region 8
Tacloban City (October 31) -- The launching of the Jail Decongestion Program dubbed as Bilis Release Program at the Tacloban City Jail and at the Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog, Leyte, highlighted this year's celebration of the National Correctional Consciousness Week from October 18 -22, spearheaded by the Parole and Probation Administration Region 8.
The "Bilis Release" Program, which aims to address the problem of jail congestion in the Region, was conceptualized pursuant to the existing Memorandum of Agreement on Jail Decongestion forged last July 25, 2007, by the Parole and Probation Administration through Regional Director Arturo O. Gabrieles, the Public Attorney's Office, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Leyte Regional Prison and the Provincial Jails of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar and Western Samar.
Through the concerted efforts of the PPA-8 Regional Office, Tacloban City Parole and Probation Office and the Leyte Parole and Probation Office, a total of seventy-four (74) inmates of the TCJ, LPJ and LRP were interviewed for possible grant of probation, parole and executive clemency, Ms. Jeanette Avorque, Regional Information Officer of PPA-8, informed.
The group, led by PPOII/Regional Jail Coordinator Sarah A. Padilla, SPPO Nelida M. Palconite of the RO, CPPO Carolina R. Corpin of the TCPPO and SPPO Jesus C. Berongoy of the LPPO No. 1, likewise conducted information drive on Presidential Decree 968 (Probation Law of 1976), Revised Rules on Parole and the Amended Guidelines for Recommending Executive Clemency.
Simultaneous launchings were also undertaken by the other ten (10) Field offices of PPA-DOJ throughout the region namely: Leyte PPO No. 2, Ormoc City PPO, Calbayog City PPO, Maasin City PPO, Biliran PPO, Southern Leyte PPO, Samar PPO, Eastern Samar PPO, Northern Samar PPO No. 1 and Northern Samar PPO No. 2 in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
PPA-DOJ has adopted the theme of the Catholic Bishop's Conference of the Philippines for this year's NCCW celebration: "Restorative Justice and Reforming the Criminal Justice System."
Thus, PPA-DOJ focused its NCCW activities on the plight of prisoners, ex-prisoners, parolees, probationers, victims and their families in the light of the Restorative Justice paradigm.
Restorative Justice process provides a healing opportunity for those directly affected by the crime- the victim, the offender, their families and the community - to facilitate the recovery of the concerned parties and allow them to move on with their lives. (PIA 8) [top]
