Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro — July 18, 2025.
In celebration of the 49th Founding Anniversary of the Parole and Probation Administration (PPA), the DOJ-PPA MIMAROPA Region hosted a significant Round Table Discussion on the Unified Aftercare Referral/Monitoring System and Program for Former Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Provincial Capitol’s Tamarraw Hall.

Carrying the anniversary theme “49 Years of PPA: Evolving Intervention, Strengthening Communities, Transforming Lives,” the event served as a vital platform to discuss sustainable rehabilitation strategies, streamline referral systems, and strengthen collaborative efforts among justice sector partners and support institutions.

Regional Director Janette S. Padua opened the discussion by emphasizing the need to innovate preventive and reintegration measures to ensure lasting impact on public safety. “We must seek alternatives and innovations to prevent reoffending—this is not just a matter of corrections, but of national security,” she stated.

Participants included representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), TESDA, NEDA, local government units, legal offices, and various regional and field offices of DOJ-PPA. Each institution shared insights, identified implementation challenges, and offered recommendations to enhance the program’s reach and efficiency.

Key discussion points included:

• Digitalization of aftercare monitoring tools

• Resource allocation for local reintegration programs

• Expanding the coverage to other municipalities and provinces

• Strengthening partnerships through an expanded MOA network

• Standardizing referral protocols and case monitoring forms
  
  

In the latter part of the program, a Gender and Development (GAD) session was conducted featuring Mr. Reynaldo De Guia, President of MOVE (Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere) Philippines. Mr. De Guia emphasized the critical role of community engagement in addressing violence against women and children (VAWC) and encouraged active participation in the upcoming 18-Day Campaign to End VAWC.

The round table concluded with a collective commitment from all stakeholders to support the roll-out of the Unified Aftercare Program and build a robust reintegration framework for former PDLs—grounded in compassion, dignity, and sustainability.