Poverty is the main reason that prevents parolees and probationers from returning to the community, said the Parole and Probation Administration (PPA) MIMAROPA.
During the August 27 episode of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas of the Philippine Information Agency, PPA MIMAROPA OIC Regional Director Janette S. Padua explained that poverty and socio-economic problems prevent probationers from being relieved.
“Ang mga kliyente…hindi sila nare-revoke o naba-bawian ng probation…ang rason na number one ay kahirapan. Socio-economic problem. Na kahit na anong mangyari hindi sila nakakapag-report dahil wala silang pamasahe,” Padua said.
(Our clients could not be relieved of their probation because of poverty. Socio-economic problem. For example, clients could not report because they do not have the means to travel.)
To address this, Padua said that the PPA coordinates with different government agencies to provide interventions.
“Sinisiguro namin na makita yung mga needs muna ng mga kliyente para nang sa ganon ay matugunan talaga yung pangangailangan nila through holistic approach, coordination with other agencies,” she said.
(We make sure to evaluate the needs of the clients so we can provide necessary interventions through a holistic approach in coordination with other agencies.)
Padua added that the PPA MIMAROPA even established a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to capacitate probationers for livelihood.
Moreover, probation officers undergo capability building to enhance their skills in the correct supervision and rehabilitation of probationers, preparing them for community reintegration.
“Talagang tine-train po nang husto ang mga probation officers para magkaroon ng tamang supervision…o pagre-rehabilitate sa mga kliyente in a manner na talagang matutulungan [ang mga probationer] to redeem their integrity dahil napakahirap po sa lahat yung iredeem yung…lives ng mga taong naconvict,” Padua said.
(We train probation officers intensively to help them facilitate correct supervision or rehabilitation of clients in an effective manner where they can redeem their integrity as it can be difficult, being an ex-convict.) (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA – Occidental Mindoro)
