Access to Outside Communication

Given the state today, with the global outbreak of the Corona Virus, various outside
activities were apprehended and prohibited to secure public safety and welfare, thus
activities that can be done on a premise still continues. With this, access outside
communications were presented using different platforms and channels. According to a
published article in the website of Fabriks, there are different ways on how to reach out
to an audience amidst the pandemic.
1. Website content and blogging. Website creation, SEO, and content marketing
aren't just ways to advertise your business
2. Live events and conferences
3. Email and newsletters
4. Social media
5. Press releases

Source:
Harvey, S. (2018 May 16). External Communication Strategies: Finding Your Marketing
Megaphone. Retrieved from https://fabrikbrands.com/external-communication-
strategies/ on October 16, 2020.

COVID-19 has lessened face to face communication due to the vast outbreak of the
said pandemic. The government and public health institutions have set social distancing
and stay-at-home guidelines to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital communication is
very popular nowadays. It serves as a platform that can be used for social connection
while keeping our health safe. Using the internet for digital communication through
email, social media or other third-party functions for video conferencing can be
beneficial.  Public health officials communicating about risks must grow as well so that
they can target audiences without compromising health-related information by using the
audience’s preferred communication mechanisms. During an outbreak, public health
officials must quickly determine the communication purpose, the persons and
populations most in need of information and guidance, ways to engage with news media
and the public, and ways to gauge the effects of messages and materials. Knowledge of
how the news media and journalists operate, as well as the ability to use risk
communication principles and best practices, increases the likelihood of success during
public health events.

Tumpey, A., Daigle, D., and Nowak, G. (n.d.). Communicating During an Outbreak or

“E-Dalaw”

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) suspended all jail
visitations in Metro Manila due to the coronavirus threat. It has been a challenge for the
detainees to see and communicate with their loved ones and lawyers even before the
pandemic.

As for the alternative way for the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) to see their
loved ones and even lawyers, with the help of Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP),
International Committee on Red Cross (ICRO), Rizal 2nd District Rep. Fidel Nograles,
and other people and organizations they established an electronic visitations or what
they call “E-Dalaw” as replacement for jail visits.

Through the help of other people and organizations the BJMP has received
a donation of 40 computer units and four electronic tablets to each of the 11
biggest jails in Metro Manila, including the isolation facility in Payatas, Quezon
City, which holds inmates suspected or confirmed to be infected.

The IBP national president Egon Cayosa, said the group had urged its local
chapters to help more city or municipal jails set up e-dalaw systems by lending
their laptops and providing internet connection. These simple acts can help to ease
the anxiety of the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and jails are supposed to be
reformatory, family contact is important.

BJMP Chief Jail Director Allan Iral said that the computers and tablets will be
used to facilitate the Electronic Dalaw or “e-Dalaw” program of the bureau, where
persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) can communicate with their relatives and lawyers
online amid the quarantine measures in the country. The BJMP chief also pointed out
that the e-Dalaw and Lakbay Hustisya’s work with PDLs is a crucial effort in
decongesting jails.

Hence, the program “E-Dalaw” allows PDLs to use Skype or Facebook for
10 to 15 minutes daily to avail of electronic visits. E-Dalaw improves human
relations through communication which in turn boosts the PDLs morale as human
beings. It is a great opportunity for the PDLs to communicate to their loved ones and
lawyers amid the pandemic.
Images:
Reference:
 Virus-hit Ph Jails: Crisis Within a Crisis
Matthew Mariejo S. Ramos - https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1267729/virus-hit-ph-
jails-crisis-within-a-crisis
  Bjmp Gets 40 Computer Units For 'e-dalaw' To Inmates
Cathrine Gonzales - https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1284341/bjmp-gets-40-
computer-units-for-e-dalaw-to-inmates

Access to outside information

“With a ban on visitors enforced to prevent the spread of the virus inside the crowded
facility, the city jail’s “e-Dalaw” system has become in great demand among inmates
seeking a way to connect online with their families. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, around
500 PDLs from the facility’s north and south wings wait for their turn to use any of the 10
computers for 10 to 15 minutes to talk to their loved ones.” (Adonis, 2020)

The authorities implemented the e-Dalaw system to fill the void as the persons deprived
of liberty cannot meet their loved ones temporarily due to the threat of Covid19.
Through this, they would be able to see and communicate with their family or loved
ones virtually and receive emotional support from them. The city jail imposed absolute
lockdown to ensure the safety within the compound. However, social distancing was
deemed impossible as the facility has a 300-percent congestion rate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“A jail facility in Occidental Mindoro launched an E-dalaw Program for persons deprived
of liberty (PDL) to still be able to see their loved ones. The San Jose District Jail
installed computers for PDLs to be able to video call their relatives amid the Enhanced
Community Quarantine (ECQ).” (Cerrudo, 2020)

According to San Jose District Jail Welfare and Development Officer JO1 Archie
Familara, the E-Dalaw program was their best activity so far as it allows the PDLs to
cope with the emotional effects brought by this pandemic.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has received from Rizal 2nd
District Rep. Fidel Nograles a donation of 40 computer units which will be used in
electronic visitations in remote and highly-congested jails in the country. According to
BJMP Chief Jail Director Allan Iral, the computers will be used to facilitate the Electronic
Dalaw or “e-Dalaw” program of the bureau, where persons deprived of liberty (PDLs)
can communicate with their relatives and lawyers online amid the quarantine measures
in the country. The program allows PDLs to use Skype or Facebook for 10 to 15
minutes daily to avail of electronic visits. For his part, Nograles said the program will
help persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) have “access to justice” despite the quarantine.”
(Gonzales, 2020)

The donation of 40 computer units of District Rep. Fidel Nograles was such a big help to
cater the rights of the PDLs despite of the strict quarantine protocol. This program
enables each PDL to reach their lawyers or loved ones and ensures that they will have
access to outside information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“With the community quarantine and social distancing in effect, many families are
unable to get together and keep one another company. This is particularly disheartening
for those to whom a visit from loved ones is one of the few things to look forward to:
people in prison. Jail visits are covered by the COVID-19 restrictions. The local
government of Misamis Oriental has come up with a novel idea and a compassionate
act: virtual visits. It developed e-dalaw, which enables inmates of Misamis Oriental
Provincial Jail to see and talk to their families via video conference. The project was
developed in partnership with PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart). The telco
and its regional distributor Airtalk provided wifi devices to the provincial jail.” (Smart
Communications, 2020)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sources:

Adonis, M. (2020, April 01). Locked-down Manila City Jail inmates connect with families
through 'e-Dalaw'. Retrieved October 17, 2020, from
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1251957/locked-down-manila-city-jail-inmates-connect-
with-families-through-e-dalaw

Cerrudo, A. (2020, May 12). E-dalaw for PDLs in Occidental Mindoro - UNTV News.
Retrieved October 17, 2020, from https://www.untvweb.com/news/e-dalaw-for-pdls-in-
occidental-mindoro/

Gonzales, C. (2020, June 01). BJMP gets 40 computer units for 'e-Dalaw' to inmates.
Retrieved October 17, 2020, from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1284341/bjmp-gets-40-
computer-units-for-e-dalaw-to-inmates

S. (2020, April 27). And now, ‘e-dalaw’: Virtual visits for Mis Or prisoners. Retrieved
October 17, 2020, from https://smart.com.ph/About/newsroom/full-
news/2020/04/27/and-now-e-dalaw-virtual-visits-for-mis-or-prisoners