The Good News

MANILA, Philippines—Often seen as burden to the society, convicts serving time at a state prison in Muntinlupa City proved that they still have compassion left in their hearts.

Despite their plight, close to 21,000 inmates of the National Bilibid Prisons (NBP) have found a way to reach out to people displaced by floods triggered by Tropical Storm “Ondoy” (international codename: Ketsana).

Supt. Armando Miranda, NBP overall superintendent, on Tuesday said inmates of the state penitentiary skipped their breakfast on Sept. 28—two days after the strong typhoon caused massive flooding in Metro Manila—to donate 20,800 cans of sardines to flood victims.

“The inmates said it was their little way of bringing help to those who lost their relatives and homes because of the floods,” Miranda told the Inquirer.

He said members of the “council of elders” of prisoners at the NBP’s maximum, medium and minimum prison facilities initiated the undertaking.

Food ration, rice, etc.

Aside from offering their food rations, Miranda said the prisoners also gathered used clothes and bought seven sacks of rice from the income of their handicraft business inside the state prison.

“With the help of their relatives, the inmates have collected a significant quantity of relief goods,” he said.

Msgr. Roberto Olaguer, NBP chaplain, said the inmates also filled three drums with bread and cookies, which they themselves baked.

“The inmates’ gesture of goodwill showed that they are still part of our society even if they’re behind bars,” Olaguer said.

Miranda said NBP officials would formally hand over the donations to the city government of Muntinlupa within the week to help residents staying in Barangay Poblacion.