INMATES at the Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail (MOPJ) will begin to display and sell their handmade Christmas lanterns next month as part of their livelihood activity during yuletide season.
MOPJ officials said the display of the Christmas "parols" will start as early as second week of October to give inmates ample time to showcase their handcrafted Christmas decors and increase their sales.
The capitol has been allowing detainees to continue this livelihood activity to enable them help their respective families even if they are behind bars.
Colorful lanterns will be hanged on barbed wires of the detention facility and passersby can choose from an array of handcrafted "parols".
MOPJ warden Dominador Tagarda said the price of lanterns ranges from P75 to P2,000.
Apart from making lanterns, inmates have already been earning through making chicharon, slippers, plaques, among others, all throughout the year.
Inmates were also given the opportunity to continue their elementary and secondary education through the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education (DepEd).
Governor Yevgeny Emano has assured that inmates are taken care of while they are either serving their sentence or waiting for their cases to be heard.
"Tawo usab sila nga angay hatagan sa ilang tawhanong katungod sa walay pagpili sa kolor pamit ug bulok sa politika (They are also human that deserves respect regardless of political differences)," Emano said.
"Sukat milingkod sa pamunuan si Governor Bambi, wala niini malimtan ang mga piniriso sa pag-atiman kanila gikan sa tambal, pagkaon ug panginabuhian (Since Gov. Emano sat as governor, he made sure that needs of inmates such as medicines, food and livelihood are addressed)," the capitol said in its daily press briefer.