Pandesal provides income for PDLs at Ilocos jail

For many Filipinos, breakfast isn't complete without a serving of pandesal. For inmates or persons deprived of liberty (PDL) at the provincial jail in Bantay, Ilocos Sur, the humble bread has become a source of livelihood. 

The initiative started when 25 inmates joined and won a competition organized by a US-based non-profit organization, earning them a prize of P150,000. 

"Nagkaroon sila ng P150,000 na pera, so tinanong ko sila kung anong gusto nilang gawin, kung anong livelihood ang gusto nila, at napagkasunduan nila na baking," Raymond Tabios, the Provincial Warden, said.

(They received P150,000, so I asked them what they wanted to do with it, the kind of livelihood they prefer, and they agreed on baking.)

The day for baking pandesal begins at 4 a.m. As beginners, the inmates produce 200 pieces of pandesal a day, which they could sell for P1,000. The bread reportedly sells out quickly among fellow inmates. 

"Pag nakabenta sila, sa kanila yung 50 percent… yung [other] 50 percent, yun din yung binibili natin sa ingredients," Tabios said.

(From the sale, they get 50 percent... the other half is what they use to purchase ingredients.)

One of the bakers, alias Biboy, sees this opportunity as a stepping stone for a better future.

"Malaking tulong [ito] kasi nagkaroon ako ng knowledge about baking, and yung income [na] para sa sarili ko [ay] para hindi na mamroblema yung pamilya ko sa labas," he said.

(This is a huge help since it gives us knowlegde about baking, and I use the income for my personal needs so my family outside doesn't have to worry.)

The Provincial Jail aims to expand the market for the bread to help more inmates. They are eyeing supplying a large school daily with their products, including the special ube cheese pandesal.

This baking initiative not only provides a source of income for the inmates but also equips them with skills they can use once they are released, giving them hope and a chance for a better future.—GMA Regional TV News