Sustaining the effort for inclusive and sustainable development, the Extension Directorate extended new knowledge and skills to the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) – Batac District Jail this December 2, 2021.

Some 16 PDLs and five (5) personnel of the BJMP were trained on the promising potentials of mushrooms, oyster mushroom production, mushroom processing, and cost-and return analysis on mushroom production.

Ms. Charito Samsam of the Research Directorate shared the topic on the Mushroom Industry in the Philippines and the Oyster Mushroom, the Production Technology, and Post-Harvest Handling. This was supported with a hands-on demonstration by Mr. Lew Vergel Ilaga and Mr. Roque Mangoma of the Extension Directorate. On Oyster Mushroom Processing, Prof. Rhoda Garcia of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development (CAFSD) shared the preparation of mushroom chips to show that mushrooms can be prepared in various ways for value adding. To ensure profitability, Errol John Valdez of the College of Business, Economics, and Accountancy (CBEA) discussed the Cost and Return Analysis for Oyster Mushroom Production. These topics were presented virtually to ensure the safety of the PDLs without compromising the quality of training given. An inspirational talk cum testimony was also shared by one of the assisted entrepreneurs of the University, a former PDL from Currimao, Ilocos Norte, that boosted their confidence and hope for better days beyond the containment.

“Through consistent support and partnership with the Mariano Marcos State University, we are able to continually change the lives our PDLs to build a safer nation”, JSINSP Cremencio A. Alones Jr. Officer-in-Charge of BJMP – Batac, shared.

To date, the BJMP is a recipient of the Oyster Mushroom Production project of the University and the Bolinao Chicken Breeder House project of the Technology Transfer and Partnership with Private Sector towards Sustainable Production of Bolinao Chicken funded by DOST-PCAARRD. Since the establishment of the oyster mushroom project in the detainment, it has become an active income-generating activity of the PDLs, allowing them to earn a living and provide for their families by making their time productive. Previously trained PDLs already set free were also able to establish their own projects, making them a model of positive transformation inward and outward.

BJMP has also received capability-building projects on bamboo processing, dragon fruit production, and nursery establishment.

“We remain hopeful that our initiatives to reach out are instruments of helping our PDLs build hope and future for themselves, their families, and communities. That with the knowledge we share today, they are able to learn and make the most out of it, and in the future, they become who we can emulate”, Extension Director, Dr. Aris Reynold Cajigal pointed.

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