(THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN SAMAR FACEBOOK)
TACLOBAN CITY — Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Northern Samar Provincial Jail have started baking bread and pastries through a new livelihood initiative, “Panaderia sa Selda,” aimed at equipping inmates with marketable skills and supporting their rehabilitation.
The project is part of the provincial government’s Barangay Livelihood Empowerment and Sustainability (BLES) Program, facilitated by the Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (PEDIPO), which seeks to provide vulnerable sectors with practical skills for income generation.
PDLs received ovens, baking tools, kitchen equipment, and initial supplies to kickstart operations. They also completed a hands-on Baking and Pastry Training Program covering dough preparation, oven timing, measurement, and product consistency, supervised by retired police captain Carlito Dela Rosa and jail personnel to ensure quality standards.
Officials said the program aims to develop discipline, teamwork, and responsibility among participants, while enhancing employability after release. The initiative is aligned with programs supported by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to strengthen technical competencies.
Implemented under the guidance of OIC Provincial Warden Jay Keenson Acebuche, the project is part of broader rehabilitation and reintegration efforts championed by Governor Harris Ongchuan, reflecting the provincial government’s commitment to empowering PDLs through skills training and livelihood opportunities.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
