Tagum hosts Assembly of Chaplains, Volunteers in Prison Services in Mindanao

Eighteen (18) chaplains and Military Ordinariate priests and about one hundred volunteers (100) in prison services from various parts of Mindanao came to their 5th Mindanao annual assembly on August 11-13, 2014.

Participants came from Davao City, Digos City, Tagum City (host), Mati City, Butuan City, Ozamis City, Dipolog City, Kidapawan City Surigao City, Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City.

Also present were CBCP-ECPPC Exec. Sec. Mr. Rudy Diamante and his staff. Venues of the assembly were the Welborn Beach Resort in Pantukan (where the delegates were billetted), the Christ the King Cathedral in Tagum City and the Davao Prison Penal Farm (formerly DAPECOL).

This year’s assembly program included Eucharistic celebrations in Welborn Beach and in the Sto. Nino Chaplaincy Church celebrated by Bp. Wilfredo Manlapaz of the Tagum Diocese, a sidetrip to the Christ the King Cathedral in Tagum for sightseeing and breakfast and a tour of the Davao Prison and Penal Farm facilities.

Inmates of the Medium Security prison treated the delegates to a Sinulog presentation. Lunch was served at the DPPF social hall with the golden rockers of the inmates’ Courageous Band providing entertainment.

Several lectures were conducted by the officers and staff of the Davao Prison and Penal Farm: History of the DPPF (formerly DAPECOL) from its humble beginning to being the biggest penal facility today in Visayas and Mindanao; the delegates were also briefed on the present programs of the facility for the betterment of the interns to prepare them for eventual re-integration into the free community once they are released.

Dinner, socials and swimming were scheduled every evening at Welborn Beach Resort. Bro. Rudy Diamante gave a very informative discussion with the volunteers regarding the new approved laws that are beneficial to the prisoners – these laws were a product of the collective efforts of the volunteers and the CBCP-ECPPC in lobbying with politicians.

He also exhorted the delegates not to be discouraged in this advocacy, to use Social Media to create more public awareness of the prison situations, to continue lobbying with politicians for more funding for our prisons, etc.

Next year’s (2015) assembly will be hosted by Surigao VIPS. More photos can be gleaned via Davao Catholic Herald Official FB page.