MARCH 31, 2024
PRESS RELEASE
A person deprived of liberty (PDL) has asked the help of Bureau of Corrections for the establishment of a small manufacturing shop for his inventions to support the work and livelihood programs of PDLs inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
In his letter to BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr., PDL Clarence B. Astudillo, an Architect, 57, who was incarcerated for more than 29 years now for murder, claimed that his invention, Articulated Throw Ball Shooter with Philippine Patent No.12012000352 -B is a unique basketball shooting game played individually (for the manually operated basketball apparatus) and with multiple players (for the computer or cellphone operated basketball apparatus) that anyone can play and enjoy, while his other invention, a soccer game for two players is still in the process of obtaining a patent.
Astudillo claimed that many of his inmates would benefit from his inventions if a small manufacturing plant was built inside the NBP to manufacture these two table games, as these products should have no trouble tapping the vast lucrative market.
“Dito sa atin sa Pilipinas mapa bata mapa matanda mahilig sa sports kaya alam ko na papatok ito at maraming mga PDLs na gaya ko ang makikinabang sa inventions ko,” Astudillo said.
Catapang said the bureau will continue to help Astudillo “in whatever way we can” and we will continue to assist him to reach out with other government agencies like the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines and the Department of Science and Technology, so he can be given proper advice on how to go about his inventions.
“We hope that his inventions will be a living testament that there is always something good that can come out even in the worst situation you are in, and you need not lose hope,” Catapang said.
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Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. expressed his utmost gratitude to the Supreme Court for its unwavering support given to persons deprived of liberty by providing them with the platform to showcase their talents in paintings.
The Supreme Court under the auspices of its Chief Justice Alexander Germundo held a Valentine’s art exhibit and sale entitled “Mga Pinta ng Pag-asa Mula sa Puso ng mga PDL” last February featuring the works of PDLs from the Kulay Group of Artists, Maximum Security Compound; School of Fine Arts, Education and Training Section, Medium Security Compound; and Work and Livelihood Section, Medium Security Compound of the New Bilibid Prison.
Catapang also thanked Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez who personally spearheaded the project and selected the art pieces for exhibition and whose office has been tasked with organizing and curating the artworks.
The SC turned over to PDLs a total amount of P653,500 as proceeds from the sale of 100 out of the 116 paintings showcased during the SC art exhibit and sale. The paintings in oil and acrylic cover a variety of subjects and were displayed in the SC lobby from February 13 to February 16.
“Napakalaking bagay nyan para sa ating mga PDL dahil ang perang pinagbilhan ng kanilang paintings ay makakatulong ng malaki sa kani-kanilang pamilya at bukod dyan yun kanilang ginagawa ay nakakatulong para maiexpress nila ang kanilang sarili sa pamamagitan ng pagpipinta na sya namang nagiging parte ng kanilang reformation,” Catapang said.
Of the 116 paintings of PDLs, 38 were done by PDLs from the Maximum Security Compound and 78 from the Medium Security Compound.
It will be recalled that SC was also the driving force behind the Justice Sector Coordinating Council that spearheaded the National Decongestion Summit last December attended by the three branches of the government – the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary in an effort to unravel solutions to jail and prison overcrowding.
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Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. handed over certificates of completion to 37 personnel of the Bureau of Corrections who graduated today after completing the Correctional Administration and Treatment Course (CATC).
The simple graduation ceremony was held at the Social Hall of the Administrative Building of the New Bilibid Prison compound in Muntinlupa City.
Catapang who is the guest of honor and speaker, commended the graduates and told them that the bureau needed them to help keep up with the increasing numbers of PDLs under the care of BuCor and help in the treatment and rehabilitation of PDLs.
“We will continue to undertake training like this to upskill our personnel to
keep abreast with the changing times and face the challenges ahead,” Catapang told the graduates.
“Pag butihin nyo sa trabaho para maimprove nyo ang career nyo at tumaas ang position nyo ng sa ganoon ay tataas din ang salary grade nyo, “ Catapang added.
The CATC, is a course that prepares individuals to plan and manage institutional facilities and programs for housing and rehabilitating PDLs.
This course, which was undertaken from March 4 to 26 at the Corrections National Training Institute by BuCor non-uniformed personnel, covers various aspects including:
- Theories of criminal behavior and justifications for punishment
- Correctional philosophy and processes
- Correctional treatment methodology
- Management of correctional staff
- Health care policy and programmatic requirements for managing incarcerated populations with special health needs
- Fiscal management responsibilities of the correctional health care administrator
- Effective oversight of a correctional health care program, including quality improvement strategies, infection prevention and control efforts, and risk management mitigation
The course also highlights the treatment of offenders, with the goals of corrections.