The Bureau of Corrections and the De La Salle Santiago Zobel School (DLSZ) today formalized its 20-year partnership with the signing of a memorandum of agreement aimed at supporting the reformation and rehabilitation of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
The MOA was signed by BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. and DLSZ Senior Vice President Rafael Javier A. Reloza representing Br. Bernard Oca, president of DLSZ during a simple ceremony held at the New Conference Room of the New Bilibid Prison Compound in Muntinlupa City.
Under the MOA, PDLs will receive social and civic services from DLZS faculty members, staff and students that will further enhance the personal well-being and character of PDLs through facilitation of social interactions, seminars, workshops and training.
Recognizing the contribution of DLZS to PDLs, Catapang on behalf of the bureau thanked them for this endeavor which greatly contributed to the reformation and reintegration of BuCor and for expanding their program to include PDLs in the maximum security compound.
“This program will go along way because it will inculcate values in life that it doesn’t pay to commit crime and involves spiritual values needed by our PDLs being battered by angels and demons while inside our corrections facilities,” Catapang said.
He added that the bureau is looking forward to a more fruitful and encouraging partnership in the future with DLSZ.
For his part, Reloza said that the DLSZ are committed to uplifting the lives of children, youth, families and especially those who are most in need, like the PDLs.
The DLSZ Social Action Office has been engaged in a volunteer service program which seeks to assist communities and other institutions towards social development as an embodiment of the mission of their founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle, Reloza said.
Also present during the MOA signing are C/Supt. Celso S. Bravo, OIC Deputy Director General for Reformation, C/SSupt. Gerardo Padilla, Director for Reformation, C/Supt. Marites Luceno, Deputy Director. For Reformation, C/Supt. Elsa Alabado, Acting Director for Personnel Development and Human Resource, C/ CINSP Roger Boncales, NBP Acting Supt.; and Benjamin Sazon Jr., DLSZ Social Action Office head.(BellaGamotea)