Inmates under the maximum security at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) will be allowed to pay respect to their departed loved ones during All Saints’ Day without leaving the NBP compound.

According to NBP superintendent Richard Schwarzkopf Jr., that will be possible under the NBP’s Electronic Dalaw (e-Dalaw) program where each inmate will be given 10 to 15 minutes to use the prison internet cafe's seven laptop computers to make a virtual visit to their relatives in cemeteries.

The program is not only for All Saints’ Day but also for prisoners who have not been visited by their families, Schwarzkopf said.

He said most of the prisoners who avail of the Internet service are those with relatives living in far-flung provinces or abroad.

Schwarzkopf bared that e-Dalaw has been implemented about three weeks ago but net access for inmates were allowed on a very limited period only.

He said the prison plans to add three more laptops to the prison's internet cafe, which is staffed by three custodial guards who have computer skills.

Besides e-Dalaw, the NBP has also introduced the e-Libing (burial) and e-Burol (wake) to allow prisoners the opportunity to communicate with their loved ones during times of grief. (RJB/SDL-PIA NCR)