PRESO, INC. MONTHLY ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT 04 APRIL - 01 MAY 2026

The month of April was highlighted by increased activities for our Community Bail Bond, Bukas Loob Tungo sa Bagong Pag-Asa and BANDILA Aftercare Programs. This even as we started doubling efforts in the preparation for a major conference seeking to bring focus on the lived experiences of former PDL.

COMMUNITY BAIL BOND PROGRAM

What has been done:

Our Program Field Officers continued with their regular activities that included conducting weekly monitoring/home visits of successfully released participants, providing guidance and updating the steps they are taking towards becoming productive members of their communities. We increased our efforts in gathering referrals from various jails including one outside of NCR.

As of May 1, there have been 529 individuals referred to our program coming from 24 city jail facilities, 2 provincial jail facilities, 17 police stations, 3 youth centers, 3 correctional facilities, and 3 national agencies. Of this number 267 had been interviewed. Of the interviewed, 155 had been successfully bailed out while another 55 had been released through other legal means.

More significantly, we have a total of 113 CBB Participants who have successfully graduated from the CBB Program. We consider participants as having successfully graduated from the Program after their cases have been closed, and at least another six months of monitoring have elapsed. Throughout this period, they must have shown to be responsible members of their community and can lead productive lives.

With their release, the government has now saved ₱ 6,561,280.00. This is computed by adding the amount budgeted per day (PhP70 for food) per PDL multiplied by the number of days since the day of the release from jail of every individual Participant. These savings will increase as days go by and as long as their cases are not terminated. For those whose cases are dismissed, served early or whose probation was approved, we expect a savings of least 60 days of non-incarceration.

Additionally, on top of the food savings by the government, these individuals are now back to the community and actively engaged in their livelihood- hence contributing to the economy. We minimized their exposure to the criminogenic jail environment leading to better reentry to the society as responsible members.

BETTER VERSIONS INITIATIVES

The second batch of our Bukas Loob Tungo sa Bagong Pag-Asa seminar concluded its formation components last April 28. Three sessions were conducted during the month with resource speakers Mr. Enzo Mercado from SPARK_PH/JCI Manila, Sr. Tammy Saberon of the Missionary Sisters of St. Columban, and Marlon Manaol of the Knights of Columbus.

The BANDILA Aftercare Program at Manila City Jail Male Dormitory continued with its pre- and post-release interventions including monitoring of its beneficiaries and provision of capital loan assistance.

Batch 7 comprised of PDL due for release from April-Jun 2026 were provided formation and financial literacy sessions. SPARK_PH/JCI Manila also conducted a one-day session on starting a small business.

1st NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF PRL

Coaching sessions for fourteen PRL selected as resource persons for thee conference scheduled for May 22 were held throughout the month even as the co-organizers continued with logistical preparations.

As we forge ahead with our Community Bail Bond Program and Better Versions Initiatives, we continue to learn and re-learn approaches and procedures. And this is a welcome experience for us. We envision that more PDLs and CICLs would be assisted soon with their liberties restored, their dignity regained and that their lives are eventually rebuilt. We as a community have a significant role in all these. In the long run, support for our prisons and prisoners as a whole would benefit all of society in terms of lower rates of recidivism and increased sense of public safety.

GOD IS ON OUR SIDE!