University of Antique is aiming to aid the mental health wellbeing of 35 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) in Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) San Jose District through the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology’s KAPWA for PDL (Kindling Aspirations: Psychosocial Well-being Advocacy for Persons Deprived of Liberty) initiative.

On its first activity held last June 11 at BJMP, Dr. Kristoffer Ryan T. Gidaya, Project Leader together with Prof. Rama Lo R. Amedo and Prof. Ina Joy S. Reysoma as Project Members conducted a session on Psychoeducation and Anxiety Reduction, as the first of the four target activities of the initiative.

“Kami nga mga psychologists, psychometrician, counselor, gapati kami nga we are good natured individuals, so ja kami para iempower pa gid kamo (PDL) para mas maging mayad,” Prof. Amedo stated, emphasizing also that PDLs’ past mistakes do not define them and should not be the basis of other people’s judgment.

SJO2 Anthony E. Leguro, Unit Chief Paralegal, BJMP, encouraged the attendees to share what they have learned so that it may also help those PDLs who were unable to join the said training.

“Sa bilog nga Panay, kita lang ang may amu kaja nga programa nga gintaw-an kang oras kang aton mga Psychologists kag Psychometrician halin sa University of Antique,” he added.

The KAPWA for PDL initiative is still part of the Project HOPE (Holistic Opportunities and People’s Empowerment) of UA in partnership with Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Present during the activity were Dr. Wilfredo Muhat, Director of Extension Services, Dr. Marie Ann Raymaro, Project HOPE Leader, and Manilyn Dubria, HOPE Project Staff.