Guv leads gift-giving for inmates
It was an early Christmas celebration for the more than 750 inmates of the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC) in Brgy. Nanga, Pototan who received presents from Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. yesterday.
In his previous term as governor, Defensor made it a tradition to hold a gift-giving activity for IRC inmates to mark his birthday on Christmas Day.
He will turn 69 on December 25.
A report from the Capitol said Defensor’s gifts to the inmates consist of things that they could use for everyday living.
At the IRC yesterday, Defensor attended a mass before attending a program where a select group of inmates presented song, dance and skit numbers.
A pair of IRC inmates sang Defensor’s favorite song “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” They asked the governor to join them on stage.
The inmates surprised the governor by singing him a birthday song and giving him a cake.
Defensor told the inmates not to lose hope and to make sure that their detention at IRC will change and reform them into useful members of society after they are released.
During the distribution of gifts, the governor was joined by Provincial Administrator Raul Banias and some Capitol department heads.
Members of the Iloilo Capitol Press Corps led by their president Elena “Bing” Pabiona of Radyo ng Bayan also brought gifts for the IRC inmates from their sponsors, Department of Social Welfare and Development and SM City Iloilo.*
