NAVAL, Biliran– The Parole and Probation Administration (PPA), an attached agency of the Department of Justice, launched a special project dubbed “Adopt a Heritage Site” in Biliran province on April 22.
A total of 17 probationers who are residents of the municipality of Biliran conducted community service by cleaning the surroundings of the Nasunugan Watchtower, an architectural ruins in Barangay San Roque that was built at the time of the Biliran Religious Revolt from 1765 to 1774, led by a certain Padre Gaspar, as per the account of local historians.
According to Jeannette B. Avorque, chief probation and parole officer of PPA Biliran, the special project is under the restorative justice program of their office, where probationers will conduct community work services with the aim of restoring the relationship between them and the community.
Avorque also shared that the probationers will maintain the cleanliness of the heritage site within the duration of 10 months based on the special project. However, she further said that the time duration may be extended as other partner agencies have signified continuity in the implementation of the project.
Francisco A. Segovia, officer-in-charge of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Biliran Provincial Field Office, has already signified intent to enroll the probationers involved in the project under the TUPAD program so they may also earn while doing community work service.
Meanwhile, Estrellieta C. Jornales, Biliran municipal assessor and the designated tourism officer, reminded the probationers not to alter or deface any part of the Nasunugan Watchtower as it is a violation of the regulation imposed by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.
The PPA collaborated with DOLE, the Department of Tourism and the municipal local government unit of Biliran in choosing Nasunugan Watchtower as the project site.
The “Adopt a Heritage Site” program was simultaneously launched in all 12 PPA offices in Eastern Visayas, coinciding with the celebration of World Earth Day bearing the theme: Planet Versus Plastics.
(RSV, PIA Biliran)
