Christmas lantern-making keeps SoCot prov'l jail inmates busy

KORONADAL CITY - Christmas in a four-cornered detention cell is notlike Christmas in the real world outside.For many it is a season of joy, sharing and giving of gifts. But for some inmates of the South Cotabato Rehabilitation and Detention Center (SCRDC) holiday season is an opportunity to earn a living.The ber months is bright for detaineesin SCRDC, also known as South Cotabato Provincial Jail, who are now busy making Christmas lanterns to earn.
What makes their Christmas lanterns extraordinary is that these are carefully crafted and designed.
Their bestseller is the traditional bamboo-structured Parol with colorful tiny lights, a great symbol of Christmas season.
Early buyers can have it at a reasonable price of P1,700 pesos.
Available for those who are conscious with their budget are beautifully lit lanterns made of cardboard and silver dust sold at P1,500.
Juan Lanzaderas, South Cotabato provincial jail warden, said that prices of inmates' Christmas lanterns are expected to rise with the anticipation of brisk sales as December draws near.
With expected increase in demand, prices of Parol here in SRCDC can reach as high as P2,000 and beyond in October and November. Lanzaderas told Radyo Bida Koronadal.
For convenience, Christmas lanterns at the SRDC can be bought per order. Finished products are also available for walk-in buyers.
Others are sold by the the families of inmates outside the provincial jail.
Through lantern-making the inmates can help their family financially and at the same time serving their sentence, Lanzaderas said. Lantern-making is only a part of SCRDC’s rehabilitation program.
Recently, 45 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) in the facility received their diploma after completing 560 hours of massage vocational training from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The inmates are also beneficiaries of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education (Deped).