By Rachel Magday

 

NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — The Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Jail (NVPJ) was named Outstanding Provincial Jail in the Philippines for the fourth time during the national convention of the Provincial Wardens Association of the Philippines (PWAP) held in the city of Mati, Davao Oriental from November 11 to 14.

SFO4 Carmelo Andarada was likewise recognized for the fourth time as Outstanding Provincial Warden and was elected National President of PWAP during the same gathering.

The NVPJ received multiple citations in addition to the Outstanding Provincial Jail award: Best Practice for its implementation of the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA), Best Livelihood for its inmate livelihood programs, Cleanest Provincial Jail, and Child-Friendly Provincial Jail.

Two jail personnel were also honored as Best Provincial Jail Employees — prison guard April Rose Lictawan and casual employee Candice Marie Alagano.

The awards were presented during the PWAP national convention, which brought together wardens and jail administrators from across the country to share best practices, recognize exemplary facilities and personnel, and discuss sectoral reforms.

The GCTA citation acknowledges NVPJ’s procedures in granting reductions in sentence for eligible inmates who demonstrate good conduct and comply with program requirements, while the livelihood recognition highlighted the facility’s vocational and income-generating programs for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

Andarada expressed gratitude to PWAP for the recognitions and to Nueva Vizcaya Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito for sustained support for the jail’s programs and policies, which he credited as instrumental to the awards.

As incoming national president of PWAP, Andarada is expected to promote the sharing of proven practices from NVPJ with other provincial jails and to advocate for reforms that prioritize rehabilitation, humane conditions, and reintegration services.

Governor Gambito extended his congratulations to the jail and its staff and reiterated his commitment to transforming NVPJ into a rehabilitation and learning center. “As a lawyer, I have observed that some PDLs become more hardened criminals upon release, which is something we want to prevent,” Gambito said.

“By converting the provincial jail into a rehabilitation and learning center, we aim to equip PDLs with knowledge and skills that will help them reintegrate into society successfully.”#RMI