SECOND CHANCE. Some of the 148 parolees and probationers in Victorias City, Negros Occidental supervised by the Department of Justice Parole and Probation Administration. They will get a second chance at life through the reintegration programs provided by various government agencies in partnership with the city government. (Photo courtesy of Victorias City Information Office)
BACOLOD CITY – A group of parolees and probationers in Victorias City, Negros Occidental are given a new lease on life through the reintegration programs provided by various government agencies.
They include 140 males and eight females supervised by the Department of Justice Parole and Probation Administration (DOJ-PPA).
"Everybody deserves a second chance in life," Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez said in a statement on Monday.
He underscored the importance of education, capacity building and reintegration of offenders into the community.
The city government entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Jan. 12 with the DOJ-PPA, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Education (DepEd) Victorias City Schools Division Office, and the Office of the Congressional Representative of the Third District of Negros Occidental for the implementation of various rehabilitation programs for the beneficiaries.
“We redeem lives and give them a second chance,” DOJ-PPA Administrator Bienvenido Benitez Jr. said during the signing rites.
The rehabilitation programs will focus on livelihood, entrepreneurship and capability building.
The local government unit will converge with its partner-agencies for community organization, monitoring and evaluation.
The DepEd will start accepting students in August this year for those enrolling in the Alternative Learning System.
The TESDA will conduct a survey among the parolees and probationers for the training they need, but it will initially offer a course on food processing.
Other officials present during the MOU signing were Third District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, City Schools Division Superintendent Portia Mallorca, and supervising TESDA provincial specialist Ernesto Duremdes. (PNA)
