The Department of Justice (DOJ) has forged a partnership with private institutions for the launching of Project Arts, Crafts and E-Commerce, otherwise known as Project ARTE, to help improve the technical skills of female Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW).

The program partners for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DOJ and CIW include Zarah Juan, Mark Bumgarner, Strokes, Halohalo, Zalora, Pinay Girl Boss, Huawei, Smart and Lazada for the implementation of Project ARTE geared towards upskilling PDLs, providing them long-term means of livelihood to sustain their essential needs.

Under the six-page MOU, the DOJ shall continuously formulate policies and roadmaps for the efficient implementation of Project ARTE.

On one end, the Bureau of Corrections shall facilitate the prioritization and identification of correctional facilities for the initial launch of Project ARTE, as well as the selection of qualified PDLs who will become beneficiaries of the project.

Meanwhile, the roles and contributions of the Program Partners or the private corporations include training PDLs to attain long-term means of livelihood such as, but not limited to, bag-making, make-up, designing, arts and entrepreneurship.

Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez said Project ARTE aims to PDLs a better quality of life by “upskilling and empowering women PDLs to become more entrepreneurial and capable of navigating e-commerce.”

“We are not only empowering them to build better futures for themselves but also contributing to the overall economic growth and development of our society,” Usec. Gutierrez said.  

Gutierrez further expressed her appreciation to the team behind the transformative livelihood program “for their commitment and dedication to a vital cause.”

“Together, we can make a difference and build a brighter future for all,” concluded Gutierrez.