BLOCKS OF HOPE
Giving inmates a new lease on life
By Elena S. Deocampo
The Hollow Block-Making Project for Inmates provides skills training aimed at giving financialsecurity to the inmates as well as fostering character- building to the men who lost their access to the outside world. Instilling responsibility and work ethics prepares the mind and body of the inmates to understand the value of their individualities and self-worth.
The Roxas City Government created a livelihood program that is safe and congruent to the physique of men inside the cell. Hollow Blocks for Inmates is a way of providing additional income for these men and their families as well as changing their mindset in life.The LGU of Roxas City believes in change for the better. This holds true in the case of the inmates, deemedthe problem of society.
There are 31 beneficiaries for the Blocks of Hope project, 25.8 percent of whom are married with 28 dependents. The BJMP has a total of 142 inmates and only 31 have willingly signed up for the program with the intention of earning, gaining skillsfor the purpose of physical activity. Hollow blocks -making is open to everyone as long as they are physically fit to work.
June 2, 2011 was the official date for the signing of the MOA between the Roxas City Government and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology for the livelihood program with a P200,000 budget/ loan payable in 24 months.
The hollow blocks—making is a new endeavor, the first of its kind that give inmates something to be busy about.
The emphasis centers on responsibility, duty, obligation and accountability of the inmates and to increase their level of motivation—from their seemingly hopeless situation toward the betterment of their lives.
In fact, the working area of the hollow blocks –making project is being done outside of the BJMP premises. Yet, none of the inmates has so far tried to escape, which speaks about the changes in their character and their improved outlook in life.
The City Government can see the cause and effect of poverty especially when society lacks education and economic opportunities.
Capiz volunteer groups gear up for UNDAS 2012
By Jemin B. GuillermoROXAS CITY, Capiz, Oct. 29 (PIA6) – Volunteer groups in Capiz are now set for this year’s Undas: Oplan Ligtas Biyahe.
Capiz Volunteer Action Team Secretary Arnel Van Aleligay said that their communication group in partnership with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Capiz Emergency Response Team will join the country’s observance of the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day here.
Aleligay said that part of their activities is to provide communication assistance as well as traffic, safety, first aid and medical assistance to the public during said festivities.
He said they have received a directive from the Regional Office of the National Telecommunications Commission to join and support the Oplan Undas for the safe trip of residents.
“CVAT is activating its 24/7 Tactical Communication System for monitoring in coordination with the Capiz PDRRMC and Philippine Red Cross- Capiz Chapter, “he said, adding that the CVAT’s operation in the first and second district of the province including Roxas City will be spearheaded Berwin Yap, Ronilo Tu and Reynaldo Benliro, respectively.
On the other hand, PDRRMC Action Office will be setting up assistance desks in the two major cemeteries in Roxas City, namely in barangays Banica and Cagay.
The said office will likewise be on alert to monitoring and respond to emergencies. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)
OVP BAGS OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTING OFFICE AWARD
The accounting department of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) again bagged the award as one of the most outstanding accounting offices in the country.The OVP team received the same award last year from the Association of Government Accountants of the Philippines Inc. (AGAP), through the recommendation of the Commission on Audit (COA).
COA chooses government agencies based on the quality, timeliness and accuracy of their financial year reports.
“COA’s recommendation for our accounting team validates the efforts of our office in observing honest and transparent governance,” said Vice President Jejomar C. Binay.
“We intend to maintain, if not exceed, this level of efficiency in our accounting processes so as to support and further President Benigno Aquino’s reform agenda,” he added.
In its 2011 Audit Performance Summary Report, COA gave the OVP an “unqualified opinion” on its financial statements.
An auditor gives an unqualified opinion when a financial report presents a true and fair view of an office’s financial condition, position and operations.
Aside from OVP, 15 other government agencies also received the Outstanding Accounting Offices. These included the Film Development Council of the Philippines; the Tariff Commission; the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency; the Food and Nutrition Research Institute; theMetals Industrial Research and Development Center; the National Academy of Science and Technology; the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development; the National Council for Children’s Television; and the National Book Development Board.
Also awarded were San Carlos City, Negros Occidental; Villasis, Pangasinan; Aurora, Isabela; Orion, Bataan; Binalbagan, Negros Occidental; and Monkayo, Compostela Valley.
The OVP team and other agencies received their awards on October 24, during the opening ceremonies of the AGAP convention-seminar in Cebu.
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