4 couples tie knot in Handumanan jail

FOUR male persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and their partners tied the knot inside the Metro Bacolod District Jail (MBDJ)-male dormitory in Barangay Handumanan, Bacolod City on Valentine’s Day Thursday, February 14.

Senior Inspector Norberto Miciano Jr., jail warden, said Reverend Fr. Casimero Battala of the Holy Family Church in the said village officiated the wedding ceremony at 9 a.m.

This is the second time we held such “unforgettable event” inside the jail after four years, he added.

Two of the four male PDLs have drug cases.

Miciano said they told the inmates about the idea and six of them were interested in it. However, only four have completed the requirements.

The jail warden said the wedding was supposed to be held in October last year, however, the inmates have yet to finish complying with the requirements at that time.

“We decided to have it this month because February is considered as “love month,” he said.

“We want them (PDLs) to feel well-loved, especially by their families,” he added.

Miciano said they decided to hold such activity, as they believed that family plays a vital role in the rehabilitation process of the PDLs.

This is a motivation for them to change their lives and to establish a good and stable family, Miciano said.

It gives them enthusiasm and eagerness to be with their loved ones once they have served their sentence, he added.

Miciano said they did a background check before deciding to allow the inmates to have the wedding.

It is in coordination with the Regional Service Providers Council, City Population Office, Civil Registrar Office, and the Philippine Statistics Office, he added.

He said visiting hours were extended only Thursday until 5 p.m. for the said occasion.

He is hoping that this event will continue in the coming years.