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Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) General Manager Edgar Manda
on Tuesday disclosed the agency’s scheme to “hire” released
prisoners for the agency’s aquaculture and agriculture projects.
In his meeting yesterday morning with Bureau of
Corrections Acting Director Oscar Calderon, Manda confirmed the
program that aims to help ex-convicts get into the mainstream and
merge into society. He noted the government’s responsibility to
help in lifting the stigma adversely affecting ex-convicts.
“Of course, public safety and the public good
is also a concern of the LLDA. But we should also bear in mind and
recognize the fact that these former prisoners also have a life to
live outside the bars,” Manda said.
For his part, Calderon said that by creating
coordinated, comprehensive and community-based programs to assist
former prisoners’ re-entry to the society, they are given a second
chance to live a decent life.
As part of the culminating activity of
Environment Month this June, the LLDA and the Bureau of Corrections
will formally seal the agreement.
The ex-cons will primarily be hired to lend a
hand in the government agency’s bamboo program which will reforest
watershed areas around the lake.
In form of remuneration, the released prisoners
who will be willing to work under this program will be given
appropriate wages.
Manda said that the LLDA is open to partnership
in this re-integration program.
-- Jayson Cruz Luna
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