CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Former inmates returning to Iligan will soon have access to livelihood assistance, business training and community support under a new city ordinance aimed at helping them rebuild their lives and reduce repeat offenses.
The City Council approved the FREEDOM Program Ordinance on Aug. 4, setting aside city funds to provide qualified former inmates with seed capital, starter toolkits and livelihood coaching as they transition back into their communities.
Path to Reintegration
The program is open to Iligan residents who demonstrated good conduct while serving their sentences and complete training on personal development and basic entrepreneurship before receiving assistance.
City Councilor Randy Ryan Ong, who sponsored the measure, said helping former inmates earn an honest living gives them a better chance to reintegrate into society and avoid returning to crime.
Rehabilitation Behind Bars
Preparation begins even before their release. Detainees at the Iligan City Jail already participate in literacy classes, skills training and values formation programs conducted in partnership with Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology.
Jail Warden Carmelo Corsame said combining pre-release training with financial and technical support after release gives participants a realistic opportunity to support themselves and their families.
"We prepare individuals even before their release," Corsame said. "This way, they leave equipped to earn a living and rebuild their lives with dignity."
Sustained Post-Release Mentorship
After their release, city social workers and cooperative officers will help participants access livelihood funds, develop financial management skills and receive continued mentoring as they establish small businesses.
The city is also urging employers, business owners and community leaders to give former inmates a fair chance to work and contribute to society, stressing that public acceptance is essential to the program's long-term success.
With the ordinance, Iligan becomes one of the few cities in Northern Mindanao to establish a funded reintegration program that aims to help former inmates become productive members of their communities while enhancing public safety. (Dave Achondo, Editorial Assistant)
