68 PDLs complete college, high school in Bilibid extension school

FILE: Bureau of Corrections in Muntinlupa (Photo by Monzonda at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0)

By Benjamin Pulta, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Eleven persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) are set to earn their college degree in Entrepreneurship while 57 others will finish high school on Wednesday, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) reported.

Their graduation will be held at the Education and Training Section of the New Bilibid Prison Medium Security Camp in Muntinlupa City at 2 p.m., according to a BuCor news release.

The graduates were student-inmates of the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta – Bilibid Extension School (UPHSD-BES) program.

“Education represents a significant step toward rehabilitation for incarcerated individuals as the skills and knowledge acquired during their time in the program empower them, giving them a fighting chance to break free from the cycle of crime and recidivism,” BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. said.

Education also enhances their employability and social integration when they complete their prison terms, he said.

“These graduates will stand as symbols of hope and resilience for other PDLs as they overcome the challenges posed by their circumstances to achieve educational milestones. By fostering an environment of learning and growth, the PDL education program is transforming lives and promoting a safer society,” Catapang added.

The program was implemented as part of UPHSD’s community outreach program for the past four decades.

Under the program, the UPHSD-BES curates the curriculum and ensures that it meets the standards set forth by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Education.

BuCor, meanwhile, provides the infrastructure required for effective learning – classrooms, libraries, and laboratories – and creates an environment conducive to education while ensuring the safety and security of faculty and student PDLs.