DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/31 December) – Women inmates at the Davao City Jail are showing that prison bars are no obstacle in helping survivors of Typhoon Pablo.
Gina Talingting, coordinator of the Therapeutic Community of the Ray of Hope, Davao City Female Dormitory, said her fellow women inmates shared what little they have to help by donating used clothes and some cash earned from livelihood projects, and sharing part of the Christmas gifts they received from non-government organizations and the local government.
“We contributed in our own little way,” said Mommy Divine (not her real name), 58. She said she had a relative in Davao Oriental who, fortunately, was not affected by the typhoon.
There are 166 women in mates in the City Jail.
“Nagpasalamat mi nga bisan napriso mi, maayo among lawas kaysa sa mga nabagyuhan (We are thankful that despite our being imprisoned, our situation is better than those who were hit by the typhoon), she told MindaNews.
Talingting said that aside from used clothing and toiletries, the women inmates’ cash donation was used to purchase at least 300 packs of instant noodles for the survivors.
They also helped in repacking the relief goods that were donated by jail officers and cadets from the Philippine National Police Academy and other government agencies, she added.
She said the women inmates also helped flood victims in the city.
“Somehow, we are still blessed being here,” she said.
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) 11, also sent relief goods to typhoon survivors.
Supt. Amelia Talento, BJMP regional director, led three relief missions on Dec. 9, 22 and 29 in Cateel and Boston in Davao Oriental, and New Bataan and Montevista in Compostela Valley, JO1 Harvey Bryan Malnegro of the community relations service, said.
Malnegro said BJMP personnel and the PNPA cadets were able to distribute 1,317 relief packs and extended cash assistance to 20 personnel residing in the typhoon-stricken areas. (Lorie Ann A. Cascaro/MindaNews)