LEGAZPI CITY – The ‘e-dalaw’ initiative, aimed at facilitating virtual visits for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in the Bicol Region, has been significantly improved with the addition of new communication tools. On February 6, 2025, the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) Region V handed over 18 tablets to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Bicol, marking a pivotal step forward for the program.
Senior Jail Officer 1 Ruth Castor from BJMP-5’s community relations service highlighted the impact of these new devices. ‘The addition of these tablets will enhance our capacity to maintain and strengthen the connections between PDLs and their families,’ she explained. The tablets are distributed across 29 jail facilities in the region, serving a total of 3,672 PDLs.
The distribution spans multiple locations including Sorsogon City and Irosin in Sorsogon province, Masbate City and several towns in Masbate province, Daet in Camarines Norte, and various towns in Albay province. Castor emphasized that all communications through the ‘e-dalaw’ service are closely monitored and supervised by jail officers to ensure security. ‘We initiate the calls and oversee them to prevent any unauthorized use,’ she added.
This initiative not only aids in maintaining family ties but also supports the emotional well-being of PDLs by allowing them to connect with loved ones who cannot visit in person.