SJO4 Ernie Olendo, Unit Chief, Welfare and Development Officer Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) of Roxas City Jail – Male Dormitory, received the Best Livelihood Program Officer award during the 7th Jail Recognition Day Gawad Penolohiya 2024.

Olendo, an alumnus of the Filamer Christian University, Inc. (then Filamer Christian College) Liberal Arts program summer of 1992, is the proponent of the livelihood programs for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) with the goal to make their lives better. “It is my hope that through the help of the community we can be a channel of hope and blessing to the PDLs and their families,” Olendo shared.

It is his compassion to PDLs that inspired SJO4 Olendo started to organize skills training on craft-making, entrepreneurship, bread and pastry production, values formation, simple accounting, bookkeeping, among others. PDLs at Roxas City Jail – Male Dormitory benefited from this trainings eventually evolving to the establishment of livelihood program, whose proceeds are given to their respective families.

Currently, PDLs produces handmade local products including the infamous parols hoisted on various municipalities during Christmas season, souvenir items such as keychains, wallets, money box (alkansya), trophies, and many others – all of which are made from native materials. This products are displayed in various events and places in the province and even exhibited in national tourism expo.

All of these are supported by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Tourism (DOT), and Local Government Units. “When the time comes they will have their freedom after serving their sentences in jail, the PDLs are equipped with skills, values, and inspiration that will help them rise and live again as part of the mainstream society – as free men,” Olendo said.

The initiative of SJO4 Olendo not only provided livelihood to PDLs, but also brings them hope and change their lives. Congratulations, SJO4 Ernie Olendo! Galing, Filamerian! #ShiningFor120Years