LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Twenty nine Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Benguet Provincial Jail received livelihood skills training in bread making and pastry production through the assistance of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Cordillera and in coordination with the provincial government of Benguet.

Jimmicio Daoaten, Benguet-TESDA provincial director said the trainees stand to get Certificates of Competency (COC) in Bread and Pastry Production NC II: Bread Making, Pastry Making, and Cake Making.
These trainees successfully completed the training course and were duly acknowledged recently during graduation rites graced by Governor Melchor Diclas, Municipal Mayor Romeo Salda, and Jirah Sidayao, a representative from the Office of Congressman Eric Go Yap.
Daoaten lauded the graduates because of their diligence to finish the training and urged them to continue learning despite being in prison.
“Life has a lot to offer. Just because you are detained doesn’t mean your life ends here,” said Daoaten. “We have different experiences and stories to tell but do not let this experience and challenges stop you from achieving your goals in life.”
“This is temporary, you won’t last here in jail. It is part of our life that we make mistakes but use this as a source of inspiration. TESDA and the government want you to have a vision for a better life and future,” added Daoaten.
The trainees expressed their gratitude to TESDA for the opportunity to learn valuable skills for them to apply when they return to the community.