CHRISTMAS has so far been merry for 1,932 inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) after they were allowed to spend time with their loved ones.
Warden Reynaldo Valmoria said they decided to give inmates a special “family day” in time for the yuletide season starting last Monday, Dec. 16, 2019, to Saturday, Dec. 21.
He added that they assigned cell numbers to each day of the week to ensure that all of the around 2,000 inmates can spend time with their loved ones.
Inmates from cell numbers one to 27 were first to enjoy a meal and catch up with their loved ones last Monday.
The following day, family members of inmates in cell numbers 28 to 54 took their turn to visit.
Inmates from cell numbers 55 to 80 also got to enjoy their short time with loved ones last Wednesday.
Inmates who are facing drug-related cases are placed in cell 1 up to cell 58 on the ground floor, while the rest are placed inside cell 59 up on the second floor.
Thursday was assigned to inmates from cell numbers 81 to 100 and B4.
Those assigned in B3 and isolation cells and the infirmary got to meet their loved ones last Friday.
Saturday was assigned to inmates from cell B2.
Valmoria said the family day activities, which were held at the quadrangle area, started at 8 a.m. and ended at 3 p.m.
Apart from being able to spend a few hours with family, inmates will also receive new pairs of shoes and new uniforms from the Provincial Government.
Valmoria said the inmates are almost done sewing their uniforms.
The Province spent around P500,000 for the yards of cloth and pairs of shoes for the inmates.
In an earlier interview, Provincial General Services Office Chief Bernard Calderon said the shoes cost a total of P400,000, with each pair amounting to P165.
The rolls of cloth, on the other hand, were purchased through a cash-on-delivery scheme.
In August 2019, a month after assuming office, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia visited the facility to assess its condition.
During her visit, Garcia promised the inmates that they would receive new uniforms as part of her administration’s thrust to overhaul the CPDRC. / RTF