PERSONS Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Metro Bacolod District Jail-Male Dormitory based at the Bacolod City Police Office in Barangay Singcang-Airport and in the annex jail in Barangay Handumanan have competed in the 1st MassKara Festival Special Indoor Participation held on Monday, October 22, in separate jails.
It was a fun day for the PDLs who also joined the City of Bacolod in celebrating its 80th birthday and the staging of the 39th MassKara Festival.
The event was graced by Regional Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-6 director Senior Superintendent Joel Superficial, Bacolod City Representative Greg Gasataya, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Councilors Cindy Rojas, Bartolome Orola and Wilson Gamboa, Jr. and other officials.
District Jail Warden Chief Inspector Ruth Estales and Senior Inspector Norberto Miciano Jr. have well prepared the PDLs in their MassKara dance performances.
The other inmates also enjoyed the competition and festive mood inside the jail as the MassKara Festival fever and the excitement were also felt inside the jail compound.
The celebration is also part of the National Correctional Consciousness Week slated every October 22 to 28, a nationwide celebration for BJMPs, highlighting the PDLs transformation.
"We are happy that our PDLs are given the opportunity to showcase their dance prowess. This is how we celebrate the important events inside the jail," Estales said.
Both wardens extended their gratitude to the City Government of Bacolod for allowing the two jails to participate in this year's MassKara Festival.
Miciano, for his part, said that it is already a bonus if their contingent will win the competition.
"This is also part of our celebration in our jail and I thank all the PDLs who have worked hard to realize this special celebration," he said.