BAGUIO CITY (PIA) - - Thirty-three  Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs)  at the Baguio City Jail  have  now  chances to continue their studies and pursue a better future.

Through the  Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System,  nine  PDLs have  completed  their  elementary  education  while  24  finished their Junior High School (Grade 10) level.

The Baguio City Jail, in partnership with the ALS of the DepEd Baguio City School Division Office, conducted the graduation and completion rites for the 33 PDLs at the Baguio City Jail Male Dorm Quadrangle on Thursday (August 10).

The graduation rites was spearheaded by Baguio City Jail Male Dorm Warden April Rose Ayangwa and Female Dorm Warden Joan Bacayan  with DepEd Baguio ALS  implementers, with DEpEd – Baguio Curriculum Implementation Division Chief Juliet Sannad  and Bureau of Jail and Management Penology (BJMP) – Cordillera Assistant Regional Director for Administration Catherine Lopez – Abueva as guests.

Baguio SDO ALS Mobile Teacher Rodolfo Parrocha presented the candidates for graduation   composed for nine (5 males and four females) for  the  elementary level and 24 (7 females and 17 males)  for the  Junior High School  level.

ALS Focal Person Jojo Ambros certified the candidates while Sannad confirmed the graduates

Sannad, in her inspiration message, encouraged the graduates/completers to continue their studies and pursue their dreams for a better future for them and their families. She said that  even successful individuals make mistakes;  what is important is that a person must admit his/her mistake, learn from it and then correct it for the better.

On behalf of the Bureau of Jail and Management Penology (BJMP) - CAR, Assistant Regional Director for Administration Catherine Lopez – Abueva  congratulated  the graduates/completers,  their families and relatives  present,  Male and Female Dorm officials and personnel, the DepEd – Baguio ALS and all others  who  dedicated their time and efforts in making the ALS education program for the PDLs successful.  

A female PDL, in her response message, expressed gratitude to the officials and personnel of the Baguio City Jail and ALS for their efforts and commitment that help her complete Junior High School. Having just completed  her penalty of imprisonment for an illegal – drug related case and  awaiting her release papers, she  said she now  has an opportunity for a renewed life, an opportunity to further her education, pursue a career and aim for a better purpose in life.  

 She  encouraged  her fellow graduates/completers to continue the change that they have started and pursue a better future for them and their families.

The partnership between the BJMP and DepEd  ALS is a continuing PDL welfare and reform program that keeps inmates productive while serving  their jail time.

 Ayangwa shared that they are  looking beyond the junior high school, and are  and finding ways and partners to bring senior high  school to the PDLs at the  city jails.  (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)