High-profile inmate Mary Jane Veloso will be teaching the art of making ‘batik’ to her fellow persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) announced on Tuesday.
BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr. said this is part of their work and livelihood programs covered under the agency’s approved P9.2-billion operational budget for 2025.
In a press statement, BuCor acknowledged Veloso’s talent for making ‘batik’—the process of dyeing textiles to form colorful patterns popular in Southeast Asia—having learned it during her incarceration in Indonesia.
Veloso, who turned 40 last January 10, continues to serve prison time after surviving a death sentence. She returned to the Philippines last December as part of a prison transfer agreement with Indonesia.
Other livelihood programs being implemented at CIW include making beads, paper crafts, baking, painting, and training for solar panel assembly.
Catapang also mentioned they signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department of Justice (DOJ), CIW, and the Samahan ng mga Pilipina para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran (SPARK) to improve the country’s corrections system while safeguarding and empowering women PDLs.
Under the MOU, the parties accept mutual responsibilities to develop projects geared towards improving the lives of PDLs through nationwide technology upskilling and income generation programs.
