Continuing her practice of spreading cheer during the Christmas season, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Sunday, Dec. 10, shared her recent visit to the Metro Bacolod District Jail to extend assistance and remind them of the importance of education.
Vice President Sara Duterte shakes hands with female inmates during a visit at the Metro Bacolod District Jail. (Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook)
The official said in a Facebook post that this is a yearly Christmas tradition for her since becoming mayor of Davao City.
“Pareho kong binisita ang male at female dormitory, at nagbigay ako ng mensahe sa kanila — ipaabot sa kanilang mga pamilya at mahal sa buhay ang mensahe ng pagmamahal at pagpapatawad (I went to both the male and female dormitory, and I shared a message with them—to tell their families and loved ones the message of love and forgiveness).”
She also took the time to remind them of the importance of getting proper education, both for themselves and for their children.
The Vice President encouraged them to enroll in the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Alternative Learning System (ALS) to earn the equivalent of an elementary and high school diploma do they will have opportunities to seek employment when they get released from prison.
“Nanawagan din ako sa kanila na ipaintindi sa kanilang mga anak ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon at pagtatapos ng pag-aaral (I also called on them to stress on their children the importance of education and finishing their studies),” Duterte wrote.
“Lagi kong pinapaalala na ang buhay ay puno ng pagsubok ngunit kung ikaw ay may pinag-aralan at nakatapos ng pagaaral, ikaw ay mas magkakaroon ng oportunidad na maging malakas sa maraming hamon ng buhay (I always remind them that life is full of challenges but if finish your studies, you will have more opportunities to be stronger against the challenges of life),” she added.
The official shared that she reached out to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) Satellite Lead to provide lawyers who can give legal advice to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) about their cases.
She lamented that many prisoners who should’ve already been released are not able to because they failed to process their documents.
There are also elderly prisoners who can seek and apply clemency from the government.
“Hiningi ko rin sa kanila na ibigay ang suporta sa gobyerno at huwag sumuporta sa mga masasamang elemento at piliin ang landas ng kapayaan (I also asked them to support the government and not to support bad elements and choose the path to peace),” she added.
Duterte shared photos about her visit as she gave away aid and met with some of the prisoners.