Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. brought joy to the 1,100 inmates of Iloilo District Jail (IDJ) in Brgy. Nanga, Pototan, Iloilo as he revived the traditional giftgiving activity on December 23, two days before Christmas.
Gov. Defensor last held the giftgiving activity at IDJ in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The tradition was started by the governor’s father, former Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. in celebration of his birthday which falls on Christmas Day, December 25.
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Assistant Regional Director for Operations and Iloilo Provincial Administrator Jail Supt. Vicente Papelera and IDJ Acting Warden Jail Chief Insp. Denver Beltran assisted Gov. Defensor in the ceremonial distribution of giftpacks to representatives of the different dormitories inside IDJ.
The giftpacks contains toiletries, such as toothpaste, bath soap, and shampoo, and coffee and sugar, among others.
Papelera thanked Gov. Defensor for bringing back his traditional giftgiving activity which was missed by the IDJ inmates for three years.
Gov. Defensor assured the BJMP officials and inmates of the Iloilo provincial government’s continued support in terms of infrastructures and improved facilities.
He also floated the idea of livelihood and skills training for the inmates at the provincial government’s Agriculture Research and Training (ART) Center which is located just outside the IDJ.
A Holy Mass presided by Rev. Fr. Ildefonso Cachuela preceded the giftgiving activity.
Also present were Punong Barangay Julie Sequio of Brgy. Nanga and some provincial government department heads and personnel, and the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Press Corps.
The officials and staff of Iloilo Provincial Employees and Community Multi-purpose Cooperative (IPECMPC) also helped facilitate the conduct of Gov. Defensor’s giftgiving activity as part of their community service.
As an expression of gratitude, the BJMP gave Gov. Defensor a Certificate of Appreciation and a colorful painting made by inmate Abner Politico. (Capitol News)
