By Philippine News Agency
BATANGAS CITY – While behind bars, there is no stopping for some 129 inmates of the Batangas Provincial Jail to complete their studies in junior high school and vocational courses through the Department of Education (DepEd) Alternative Learning System and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), respectively.
In a report on Friday, Batangas Provincial Warden Jail Senior Supt. Aniceto Malapitan said the first ever joint graduation ceremonies at the provincial detention facility’s covered court in Barangay Cuta here last May 29 was off to a good headstart.
Malapitan said that the opportunity for studies provided to the inmates has brought them hope in their lives as soon as they would complete their respective jail sentence.
He vowed to continue the ALS extension program and the TESDA technical-vocational courses training conducted at the detention facility as these learning activities also inspire them to reform their lives for the better.
He inspired inmates that the jail management and staff, the inmates’ kin and government support institutions like the DepEd, TESDA, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Batangas provincial government expect they would turn a new leaf once they are released from prison.
Malapitan also led the awarding of medals to outstanding inmate-completers and graduates who have shown diligence, hardwork and excellence in their studies.
Of the 129 inmates, around 30 were completers of the Junior High School – ALS while 99 have completed their Health and Wellness Massage training course of TESDA.
The tech-voc graduates received their Certificates of Completion and TESDA National Certificate 11 (NC11) which would facilitate in their search for new jobs or engage in livelihood.
A female inmate graduate expressed “maraming salamat po sa programang ALS, sa pagbubukas ninyo ng pinto para sa amin (thank you very much for the ALS program which opened the doors for us).”
“Very proud po ako sa aking sarili na balang araw, makakalaya ako bitbit ang sertipiko ng pagtatapos na aking tinanggap at pagpapatunay ito na hindi hadlang ang rehas na bakal upang makapagtapos kami ng pag-aaral (I am very proud of myself now and hope that someday by time I am released, I shall bring with me this certificate of completion as proof that our state of detention is not a hindrance to accomplish our education).”
Meanwhile, Governor Hermilando Mandanas who graced the event assured that his provincial administration would sustain assistance and support for the services of the provincial jail and look after the plight of the inmates.
Mandanas also announced that construction for a much bigger jail facility is on-going and once completed this new detention center is expected to decongest the old and crowded jail.
He also committed the provincial government’s funding assistance of PHP 1 million to augment the budgetary expenses for the inmates’ meals.