Flagship Projects of
PRISONERS' ENHANCEMENT and SUPPORT ORGANIZATION Inc.
BANDILA
Raising a Banner of Hope for Former Detainees
In the heart of Sta. Cruz, Manila, just steps away from the walls of the Manila City Jail Male Dormitory (MCJ-MD), a quiet but powerful movement is taking shape. At the Carcel de Manila Multi-Purpose Hall, a new chapter in second chances is being written through BANDILA—short for Bagong Buhay ng Dating Inalisan ng Laya.
Launched on January 30, 2025, BANDILA is a post-release aftercare program that walks alongside formerly detained individuals as they reenter society. Rooted in the values of human dignity, transformation, and restorative justice, BANDILA is a collaborative initiative of MCJ-MD, the Missionary Sisters of St. Columban, and Prisoners Enhancement and Support Organization, Inc. (PRESO, Inc.).
The program’s mission is clear: reduce recidivism and support reintegration by providing comprehensive services—from pre-release planning to post-release accompaniment. These services include values formation, counseling, life skills workshops, livelihood and entrepreneurship training, mental health support, and job assistance.
A Multi-Sectoral Response to a Systemic Crisis
Every year, thousands of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) are released from jails across the country. In 2024 alone, 92,181 individuals were released from 441 jail facilities, according to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). Yet many of them return to communities where poverty, stigma, and exclusion await—making reintegration incredibly difficult. In the National Capital Region, the reoffending rate hovers around 30%.
BANDILA aims to break that cycle. The program offers a three-phase model:
1. Pre-release interventions such as individual assessments, group counseling, and life skills training.
2. Post-release support including vocational training, micro-livelihood opportunities, and psychosocial services.
3. Long-term reintegration through continued accompaniment, mentorship, and monitoring.
Incorporated into the BANDILA umbrella is the “Padyak Para sa Pagbabago,” a micro-livelihood project where selected former PDL receive a bicycle and insulated carrier to sell “Pandelino” bread—produced by MCJ-MD’s in-house bakery.
Among the first to benefit from BANDILA is Jessie Paulo Sapno, a 41-year-old former detainee whose life has taken a dramatic turn for the better.
Detained in September 2024 for a charge he maintains was unjust, Jessie found himself at a crossroads. “I used to live recklessly,” he shares. “I was using drugs and had no direction.” But during his time at MCJ-MD, Jessie encountered the BANDILA Program and saw a glimmer of hope.
Released on February 10, 2025, through plea bargaining, Jessie did not return to old habits. Instead, he became an active participant in BANDILA’s livelihood and skills training programs. He now sells Pandelino bread around the city and contributes to the program’s sewing livelihood by making bedsheets and pillowcases.
For Jessie, BANDILA is more than just support—it’s a symbol of dignity. “Every bedsheet I sew, every piece of bread I sell, is a promise to my children,” he says, referring to his three kids. With the unwavering support of his partner Rina, Jessie now dreams of a better future. “He’s more patient and hopeful now,” she shares.
A Story of Renewal: Jessie Paulo Sapno
The Role of PRESO, Inc.
As a co-implementer of the BANDILA Program, PRESO, Inc. is committed to expanding pathways of reintegration for former PDL. Our organization provides paralegal assistance, pre-release preparation, and post-release monitoring to ensure that every former detainee has a real chance at transformation.
BANDILA is part of our broader mission to create systemic change—by building inclusive support systems, forging partnerships, and advocating policies that uphold the dignity and rights of Persons Deprived of Liberty.
A Banner We All Can Raise
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Though BANDILA is in its early stages, its goals are bold. The program envisions a self-sustaining ecosystem supported by community partners, social enterprises, and government stakeholders.
As Warden Soriano rightly puts it, “Our responsibility to PDL doesn’t end at release. We must walk with them as they build their new lives.”
At PRESO, Inc., we believe the same. The journey toward freedom doesn’t end at the gate—it begins there. BANDILA is not just a program. It is a beacon of second chances—a flag that signals the power of hope, dignity, and transformation.
Let’s raise that flag together.
Let’s believe in new beginnings.