asked in 2005
answered by Josefina I. Paredes

1. Has the situation in Philippine prisons (Cebu province) improved since you received the award?

It has improved in some areas. There is already due process. One does not land in jail because of being charged of a crime; abuses committed against prisoners have been minimized. There is the perennial problem of overcrowded jails, poor sanitation, very low budget for food. For children in conflict with the law, there is already a center, separating them from adult prisoners. Cebu province has a new detention center that is big enough to house the prisoners; but the problem is the food, which prisoners often complain to be insufficient.


2. What does FREE LAVA do to prevent crime?

We conduct advocacy programs in the community (barangay) level on rights of the citizen esp. on the bill of rights. We work hand in hand with the PNP (Philippine National Police) in conducting advocacy and training of policemen in the proper way of handling prisoners especially children in conflict with the law, the different international standards, instruments in the treatment of prisoners etc. We have the diversion program for children in conflict with the law - training barangay officials in the conduct of the diversion program; and a rehabilitation program for children in conflict with the law at the “Balay Pasilungan” to prevent the recommission of crimes.


3. What effect has the RLA had on your work?

The RLA has inspired the people at FREE LAVA to work hard to assist the disadvantaged and the marginalised sectors in the Philippines. We are more committed to the vision for a just and humane society in which the oppressed and the underprivileged have maximum access to justice and social services in order to invoke their rights and meet their basic needs and attain their own development as human beings ultimately leading towards an improved quality of life for all elements in the community.