Twenty-nine (29) Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the San Andres District Jail recently secured their NC II certification in Construction Painting, thanks to the efforts of the Catanduanes Provincial Jail Administrator’s Office.
The program, undertaken in coordination with the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), intended to provide the PDLs with nationally recognized vocational skills that would enable them to facilitate a smoother transition back into society upon their release, said JInsp. Jorge T, Gregorio, Acting Warden of San Andres District Jail said.
The provision of technical-vocational skills to PDLs while awaiting their release is one of the significant accomplishments of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Catanduanes for 2026 that was recently presented to the local media by Personnel and Records Officer SJO2 Ma. Cleofe M. Obispo on behalf of Provincial Jail Administrator JInsp. Ronald Beda A. Sinforoso.
Aside from JInsp. Gregorio, also in attendance at the presscon held at Virac District Jail were JInsp. Michael L. Orbita Sr., the Jail Warden of Virac District Jail, and other jail officers.
This year’s programs and projects are supported by a total allotted budget of P1,736,000.00 under the Peace and Order and Public Security (POPS) Plan intended to strengthen the implementation of various initiatives, particularly in promoting public safety, institutional development and inter-agency collaboration in Catanduanes.
Last Jan. 19, under the guidance and supervision of Acting Provincial Jail Administrator JInsp. Rosemarie B. Bragais, SJO2 Obispo, and JO2 Marjore A. Olonan, Catanduanes PJAO staff attended the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) 1st Quarter Meeting at the Capitol Dome, which was followed by a series of meetings and workshops to prepare the proposed budget allocations for 2027.
In the same month, Provincial Health Nurse JO2 Kevin A. de Leon assisted in the conduct of a Free Medical Check-Up at barangay Concepcion, Virac with Dr. Aliza de Leon-Valeza serving as attending physician, to provide accessible healthcare services to the community.
JO2 de Leon conducted an IEC for senior citizens and women, focusing on women’s health, disease prevention and the importance of regular medical checkups.
In February, the Catanduanes PJAO served the Love on Wheels Program at Tubli National High School, San Andres TODA mambers, and at the two district jails, distributing flowers and chocolates to teachers, tricycle drivers, and personnel and PDLs.
A P500,000 budget from the PPOC fund facilitated by PPOC focal person JO2 Olonan led to the conduct of Dressmaking NC II training for personnel and PDLs.
This was followed by the first ever Catanduanes BJMP Color Fun Run: Takbo Para sa Kababaihan at the Plaza Rizal in Virac, with 35 BJMP personnel and 1,365 community runners from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Catanduanes PNP, Philippine Coast Guard, CPIC criminology students, running clubs and other participants.
Last April 28, the BJMP, represented by Jinsp. Sinforoso together with JSupt. Rammel L. Bonavente, regional chief of the Directorial Staff, and officers from the two district jails, received two vehicles from the provincial government headed by Governor Patrick Alain T. Azanza during the turnover ceremony at the Capitol grounds.
The two service vans, with a total cost of P3.4 million, will serve as additional vehicles to ensure the safety and security of PDLs and BJMP personnel.
The following day, former Catanduanes Provincial Jail Administrator JInsp. Rosemarie Bragauis, was recognized as one of the Top 3 Performing Provincial Jail Administrators for the 1st Quarter of 2026 during the Regional Gawad Penolohiya at the regional office in Legazpi City.
The month of May was kicked off by the turnover of proceeds from the Fun Run, with the funds to be allocated for the enhancement of livelihood programs for PDLs, including the provision of ingredients and equipment for the Bread and Pastry Production program of San Andres District Jail as well as the same necessities for the Hand-Woven Bayong Bag Production Program of Virac District Jail.
On the other hand, using PPOC funding, the Catanduanes BJMP successfully transferred eight (8) PDLs each from the two district jails to the Bureau of Corrections in Muntinlupa City.
Among the other notable accomplishments of the Catanduanes PJAO so far are the continuous coordination with the PLGU, regular security inspections, IEC on drug advocacy, anti-smoking campaign and career guidance in schools, quarterly drug testing of personnel, active participation in LGU activities, and info drive on preventive measures against heat exhaustion.