Model city jail

The Las Pinas City Jail Library, the first of its kind in the country, just got even better.

Just last Wednesday, the Judge Joselito DJ Vibandor Learning Room and Mini-Library, named after the man who started it all, added eight computers loaded with TESDA learning modules donated by Consuelo Foundation based in Hawaii.

The library, which was conceptualized by Judge Vibandor of Las Pinas RTC 199 back in 2008, had around 2,000 books which include children’s books, encyclopedias, the Bible, magazines, and even law and economics books. Now the collection is much bigger.

In a 2008 article published in another newspaper, then city jail warden Supt. Arnold Buenacosa said that when he assumed his post, Judge Vibandor brought up the idea of setting up a library inside the jail to serve the then 384 inmates detained in their facility. They agreed that the city jail would provide the space for the library while the RTC Judge would help provide the books.

At first, the inmates weren’t really interested in the library, or in the books or magazines in it. But the city jail leadership encouraged the inmates to read to ease their boredom and frustration due to their incarceration.

Now, the inmates would even spend time with their children reading books during visiting hours. They would also help their kids finish their assignments and research works.

There are also some inmates attending non-formal education while inside the jail who benefit from the library.

But not all are allowed to go out of their cell, especially high-risk inmates. In their case, they would request for the books which are then brought to them or there is a cart full of books that goes around from which they can choose what books to read.

According to Judge Vibandor, some of the lawbooks that can be found in the library were donated by the Arellano Law School and its law students. Atty. Bong Lopez, who is now vice-dean, also gave some volumes of the Supreme Court Reports Annotated (SCRA) and a set of encyclopedia.

He also shared that the library is being used for alternative learning system (ALS) and has produced elementary and high school graduates.

Going back to Consuelo Foundation. It was during one of the visits of its board of directors to the Philippines when they were looking for a model family court that Judge Vibandor showed them the air-conditioned library.  He thought they were going to donate one set of computers. Instead, the group gave eight.

Consuelo Foundation was founded by Consuelo Zobel Alger who was born in 1914 and whose ancestors founded the Ayala Compania during the Spanish period, now Ayala Corporation. She and her husband settled in Hawaii in 1970 and when James Alger died in 1986, Consuelo began to contemplate her legacy, the foundation’s website relates. In 1987, she met Patti Lyons, president and CEO of Child and Family Service in Honolulu who was seeking funding for a street children shelter in Baguio. Consuelo became the benefactor of the shelter. This relationship created Consuelo Foundation.

Consuelo passed away in 1990 at the age of 76 but she continued to touch lives through her foundation which has benefitted about 401,500 persons in the Philippines, mostly children and youth, and more than 5,000 individuals in Hawaii.

Photo shows Consuelo Foundation managing director Atty. Carmela Mia Andal-Castro (third from right) with Judge Vibandor (second from right) during Wednesday’s turnover of the computers for the Las Pinas city jail library. Others in photo are (from left) foundation program director Nicanor Torre, Las Pinas City Manpower Training Center’s Renato Dumlao, and LP City Jail Warden Atty. Joejay Arejola.

Not so hidden agenda

NITAS INDUCTION: Network of Independent Travel and Allied Services Inc. (NITAS) national president Robert Lim Joseph (standing center) together with NITAS Cebu president Ricky Tio (second standing from right) recently inducted the Pangasinan NITAS Chapter 2016 officers and members. Shown with them are (standing from left) Chaislain Aimee Garcia of Palm Asia Intl Travel and Tour, Corazon Mentana of Paylight Travel and Tour, Rene Posedio of Shepreds  Tours, Clarito Pletchetero of Spirits Travel and Tours,  Enrique Esguerra of Esgala Travel and Tours, and Yancy Grace Galleguez of Pals Travel and Tours Agency.  Seated from left are Ma. Helicia Costales of Evergreen Travel and Tours, Hasmin de Guzman of Palm Asia Travel, Michael Casem (NITAS Pangasinan secretary), Vanessa Fajardo (vice-president), Jonaida Ferrer (president), Crystal Rodrigo of Crista Travel and Tours, Kim de Guzman of JF’s Travel and Tours, and Hilda Santos of Athena Travel Tours and Event. Other NITAS chapters are Bulacan, Cebu, Clark/Subic, Ilocandia, Baguio, Rizal, Nueva Ecija, and Mindanao, with Manila as national chapter and office.

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