Bayawan City, Negros Oriental – A team from Negros Oriental State University Bayawan-Sta. Catalina Campus (NORSU-BSC) recently conducted a monitoring visit to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) in Bayawan City on December 18, 2024. The visit aimed to assess the progress and impact of the “Waste to Wealth” program, an initiative that empowers Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), Children in Conflict with the Law (CICLs), and at-risk youth through upcycling and livelihood skills training.

The NORSU team, led by Dr. Liza J. Caballero, Project Leader of the Extension Program “Waste to Wealth” and Assistant Campus Administrator for Academics and Dean of the College of Teacher Education (CTEd) of NORSU BSC, included Dr. Albert C. Albina, Director of NORSU BSC Campus Research Office, Assistant Professor Ann Beverly Corona-Verbosidad, CTEd Extension Coordinator, and CTEd Faculty Members, Dr. John Moses V. Azuelo and Dr. Rona Faith E. Tio.

During the visit, the team met with Deputy Warden JINSP Lorlyn A. Colot and Records Officer/Liaison JO2 Adelissa O. Sorronda at the BJMP Bayawan City, and with Marchita Tuale, City Social Welfare and Development Officer, at the CSWD. Discussions focused on the program’s achievements, challenges, and areas for improvement. The team observed the participants’ progress in upcycling activities, assessed the quality of their products, and gathered feedback from both beneficiaries and program facilitators.

Phase 1 of the extension program was conducted in 2018, with the inmates of BJMP in Bayawan City, and from October 30, 2018, to December 15, 2018, for CICLs and Children-at-Risk (CAR) at Gawad Kalinga (GK) Village in Villareal, Bayawan City. Following Phase 1, monitoring and evaluation were conducted to assess the program’s effectiveness, and issues identified were addressed in Phase 2, which took place from April 22 to June 30, 2022, at the CSWD - Bayawan City, Cabcabon Hills, Bayawan City for the CICLs and at-risk youth. The COVID-19 pandemic also impacted the implementation timeline and execution, which resulted in adjustments during Phase 2. Monitoring and evaluation were again carried out during Phase 2 to identify challenges and refine the approach.

As the program transitions into a new phase, a more holistic approach is being introduced, expanding beyond waste management for economic benefit. The recent monitoring and follow-up activities aim to address new concerns, such as the mental health and social reintegration needs of participants, ensuring a more comprehensive support system that fosters long-term impact.

The “Waste to Wealth” program aims to provide PDLs, CICLs, and at-risk youth with valuable skills in upcycling and environmental awareness, empowering them to generate income and contribute to their communities. Through hands-on training and mentorship, participants learn to transform waste materials into marketable products, fostering sustainable livelihoods and promoting environmental stewardship.

The monitoring visit provided valuable insights into the program's effectiveness and allowed the NORSU team to gather data for program evaluation and future improvements. This collaborative effort between NORSU, BJMP, CSWD, and the local community demonstrates a commitment to empowering vulnerable populations and promoting sustainable development in Bayawan City.