A total of 129 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Cebu City Jail Female Dorm graduated from the alternative learning system (ALS), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said on Thursday, Aug. 18.
The ALS is a parallel learning system in the Philippines that provides opportunities for out-of-school-youth and adult learners to gain access to education aside from the formal education system.
Through the ‘Tagapagalaga ko, Guro ko (My Caretaker, My Teacher)’ program of the BJMP, 48 PDLs graduated from elementary and 81 from junior high school graduated from the Cebu City Jail Female Dormitory.
According to the Jail Chief Superintendent Efren Jimeño, this was part of the PDLs’ rehabilitation program to prepare them for their release from jail.
BJMP spokesperson Supt. Xavier Solda stressed the value of education among the PDLs saying it to be ‘an integral part of their well-being.’
“Hindi lamang oportunidad para makapagaral ang dala namin para sa kanila kundi magandang pagkakataon na patunayan nila sa kanilang pamilya na kaya nilang magbago (This is not only an opportunity for them to study buy we impart for them the chance to prove to their families that they have turned a new leaf in their lives),’’ Solda said in a message on Aug. 18.
Aside from the ALS, Solda said that the PDLs are also given the chance to attend vocational and technical courses to prepare them for their eventual release from prison.
The youngest graduate is 20 years old while the oldest is 70 years-old.
A former PDL acknowledged the efforts of the BJMP in providing the inmates with the valuable tools that will enhance their qualification and increase their chances of finding employment.
But the ex-inmate disclosed that even if inmates would graduate inside the detention facilities, the reality is that they are facing difficulty in community reintegration, starting from difficulty in finding a job due to criminal records.
“Sa ngayon, kung ano ano lang work ko gaya ng paglilinis ng bahay, pasada tricycle. Dati akong empleyado na regular sa private na kompanya bago ako nahuli sa paggamit ng droga. Sana mapasok kamo ng BJMP ng trabaho. (As of now I only do odd jobs like cleaning houses, driving tricycles. I used to be a regular employee in a private firm before I was jailed due to my illegal drug use. I hope the BJMP can help us find employment),’’ the ex-inmate confided.
However, Solda admitted that “we only do employment referrals if available sa area (in the area) in coordination with some of our service providers.’’ (Chito A. Chavez)