2ND MINDANAO ASSEMBLY OF CHAPLAINS AND VOLUNTEERS IN PRISON SERVICE (VIPS)
EPISCOPAL COMMISSION ON PRISON PASTORAL CARE
Vision-Mission
Vision: Towards a Total Human Development of the Members of the Prison Community
Mission: Formation of Community of Disciples that will promote and provide programs and opportunities to meet the unique needs of the prisoners and their families, ex-prisoners and their families, victims and their families, the correctional employees and the volunteers in prison service.
Current Major Thrusts:
- Promotion and Organization of Volunteers in Prison Service or Restorative Justice Advocates in various arch/dioceses to deliver the Integrated Pastoral Program for the Rehabilitation of the members of the Prison Society i.e. Worship, Formation, Advocacy/ Networking and Service Program
- Continuing Advocacy of Enlightened Legislations that promote and serve Christian values and attitudes towards the members of the prison community.
- Establishment of Linkages and Partnerships with groups, agencies and organizations involved in prison.
- Sustained Program for ECPPC Staff and Volunteers towards deepening of their commitments and understanding of the prison ministry to better deliver services needed by the members of the prison community.
- Special Projects in relation to the ECPPC regular program.
- Direct Services like para-legal and educational assistance of children of ex-prisoners and prisoners.
Volunteers in Prison Service (VIPS) and Restorative Justice Advocates: Promotion and Strengthening
To deliver basic services to the members of the prison community (Integrated Prison Pastoral Care Program i.e. Formation, Worship, Service, Advocacy and Linkages, Temporalities), the ECPPC has made as its priority the organization of Volunteer in Prison Service (VIPS) units and Restorative Justice Advocates in the different dioceses and archdioceses. The commission does this by conducting Orientation Seminar that aims to provide the volunteers an understanding of the ministry. As of 2011 we have about 86 volunteer units.
The commission also:
- Publish VIPS Update quarterly to establish communication and provide information among each unit.
- Follow-up the units through our pastoral program officer and national coordinator of VIPS.
- Conducts General Assembly of VIPS and Chaplains every three years and Regional Assembly before the General Assembly.
Advocacy, Networking Partnership and Linkages for Enlightened Legislation
A. Linkages and Networking. The CBCP-ECPPC is an active member of the following coalitions and organizations;
- Coalition Against Death Penalty (CADP). The coalition, which is a non-stock, non-profit organization, aims to abolish the death penalty. It is composed of 18 non-governmental organizations. It meets once a month. The ECPPC acts as the Secretariat of the coalition.
- Philippine Action for Youthful Offenders (PAYO). The organization aims to address concerns affecting children in conflict with the law. It meets once a month. The ECPPC also acts as the Secretariat.
- Integrated Correctional Association of the Philippines (ICAP). It is a non-stock, non-profit organization whose goal is to seek reforms and changes in the correctional field. It meets once a month. The ECPPC is the office of the association.
- Pope John Paul II Foundation for Prisoners Welfare (FOPRIW). It is a non-stock, non-profit religious organizations establish by ECPPC with the sole purpose of raising funds to finance the program of the ECPPC. It holds office in the ECPPC.
- International Prison Chaplains Association (IPCA). It is an international organization of different denominational group involved in prison work. It seeks to establish linkages among the prison workers and to support each other. It holds conference every 5 years. The office is in Ottawa, Canada.
- International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care (ICCPPC). It is an international group of catholic chaplains that seek to institute reforms in the penal system and establish strong relationships among catholic prison workers. It holds conference every 4 years. Its office is in Netherlands.
- Technical Committee on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice of the National Police Commission. This body is composed of the members of the 5 pillars of the criminal Justice system that meets quarterly to address concerns affecting the criminal justice system
- Sub- Committee on Executive Commitments of the Inter- agency to Monitor the Implementation of the Persons Deprive of Liberty Summit.
B. Advocacy. The CBCP-ECPPC is advocating and lobbying for the following:
- Adoption and advancement of restorative interventions in our justice system
- Total Abolition of the Death Penalty
- Passage of the Pre-trial Release Program or Release on Recognizance Act
- Creation of the Department of Corrections
Special Projects
- Annual Prison Awareness Sunday Celebration every last Sunday of October. The commission spearheads every last week of October to awaken the public on the plight of the members of the prison community. This coincides with the celebration by the government of the National Correctional Consciousness Week. Each VIPS unit prepares their activities. The highlight of the celebration is the granting of Gawad Paglilingkod Award to individuals and groups who have shown outstanding service in the prison ministry.
- Paralegal Training Seminars are given to volunteers who would provide paralegal assistance to inmates.
- Service Consciousness Seminars are conducted to the correctional employees to inculcate the value of service and to imbibe among them the gospel values
- Seminar Workshop on Restorative Justice-Justice That Heals are held to promote and advance the adoption of restorative justice paradigm in addressing the problem of criminality. It promotes the kind of justice that heals the wounds caused by crime.
4. Sustained Program for ECPPC Staff and Volunteers
The commission holds reflection seminars for the staff to deepen their commitment and understanding of the prison ministry to better deliver services needed to promote the interests of the prison society.
The following activities are held:
- Advent and Lenten Retreat
- Evaluation and Planning every 6 months
- Study and Reflection Day every first Friday
- Theological and Pastoral Updating
- Fellowship every summer and Christmas
- Staff Meeting and Faith sharing session once a month
Direct Services of the ECPPC
- Para-legal Assistance. The commission gives para-legal assistance mostly to convicted prisoners by way of interceding for executive clemency and parole.
- Educational Assistance. The commission provides educational support to children of prisoners and ex-prisoners. It comes in various forms such as tuition fee support, monthly allowance, and supplies assistance. As of today there are 20 scholars
- Livelihood and Loan Assistance. The commission also provides livelihood support to prisoners and ex-prisoners on occasional basis. A maximum amount of P10, 000 is allowed.
- Medical Assistance. The commission also gives medical assistance to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families whenever the need arises.
- Other assistance. The commission also grants transportation assistance to release inmates, funeral assistance and counseling services.
2011 CBCP-ECPPC Bishops and Personnel
CBCP-ECPPC BISHOPS
Chairman : Bishop Pedro D .Arigo
Vice Chair: Artemio Rillera
Treasurer: Bishop Manuel Sobreviñas
Members:
Bishop George B. Rimando
Bishop Warlito Cajandig
CBCP-ECPPC STAFF
Exec. Secretary : Rodolfo S. Diamante
Accountant : Angelito J. Cariaso
VIPS Coordinator : Gerard Ian V. Bernabe
Pastoral Program Officer: Michael V. Bartolome
Cashier: Rolando C. Arriola
Office Secretary; Ester G. Alicante
Office Assistant: Dolly L. Pangilinan
Consultants/Resource Persons
a) Auditor/Finance: Juliet B. Rafael
b) Publicity/Promotion : John Nelson Tan
c)Volunteer Organization: Alfonso S. De Ocampo/ Gerard Ian Bernabe/ Lee Fresnosa
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