Two faculty members of the College of Arts and Sciences extended their hands to the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) of the Ilocos Sur Provincial Jail through lectures on the Safe Spaces Act and stress management skills on March 25, 2024.

Ms. Kristina Camille V. Pacris-Quitevis, consulting psychologist and instructor of the BS Psychology program, discussed the topic “Calm Amidst Confinement: A Seminar-Workshop on Stress Management Skills for PDLs.”

Also, Ms. Mae Angelie V. Salvador-Garcia, BA Political Science faculty member, focused on the topic “Bawal Bastos: A Seminar on Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313) and Human Rights.”

The seminar-workshop was made possible through the collaboration between the BS Psychology and BA Political Science programs, as well as the partnership between the University led by Dr. Erwin F. Cadorna and the Ilocos Sur Provincial Jail led by Provincial Warden Raymond T. Tabios.

Ms. Pacris-Quitevis’s lecture focused on empowering and supporting women PDLs by fostering mental resilience and promoting overall well-being.

According to her, being confined behind bars presents challenges to mental health, and it is essential to address these issues with care. As such, the seminar-workshop zeroed in on strategies for managing stress, enhancing coping mechanisms, and fostering a sense of empowerment.

Meanwhile, Ms. Salvador-Garcia emphasized that the Safe Spaces Act provides crucial measures against harassment, abuse, and discrimination in both public spaces and online platforms. Comprehending the provisions of the law enables the women PDLs to safeguard themselves.

Both the resource speakers pointed out that the implementation of this activity signifies the University’s commitment to aligning its programs to the UN’s global objectives. Specifically, attained are SDG 3: good health and wellbeing through provisions on mental health support, as well as SDG 5: gender equality since the event equipped the PDLs with the knowledge they need to navigate and advocate for their rights in accordance with the principles of dignity, respect, and equality.

Article by Mark Louie Tabunan. Photo by Kristina Camille V. Pacris-Quitevis.