College behind bars: Mandaue launches education program for PDLs

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu – Persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in Mandaue City will soon have the opportunity to earn a college degree through the “College and Skills Behind Bars” program.

The program, spearheaded by the Mandaue City Government through Mandaue City College (MCC) and in partnership with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), was launched on Friday, July 10.

The first batch consists of 39 PDLs, including 28 males and 11 females, who qualified after undergoing a screening process. More than 100 male applicants and over 40 female applicants initially expressed interest in the program, but only those who completed the requirements were admitted.

Mandaue City College Administrator Dr. Joey Rivamonte said classes will begin on July 30, coinciding with the opening of classes at the college.

READ: Education for Mandaue’s PDLs: College programs to open in jail

Classes at BJMP facility

Instructors from MCC will conduct face-to-face classes inside the BJMP facility. The initial course offering is a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, major in Marketing Management.

BJMP-Mandaue Male Dormitory Jail Warden Jail Superintendent Jessie James Gingoyon said the program also integrates technical skills training through partnerships with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesa) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

He said the training will be aligned with employment opportunities in Mandaue City, particularly in manufacturing, information technology, and other industries.

He added that unlike similar programs in other detention facilities that rely on private institutions, the Mandaue City Government and Mandaue City College will shoulder the educational expenses, making the program more sustainable. A classroom inside the BJMP facility has also been designated for conducting classes.

Gingoyon said the initiative forms part of the city’s reintegration and aftercare program for qualified PDLs.

Second chance

Mandaue City Councilor Raul Kevin Cabahug said the program reflects the city’s commitment to prioritizing education and providing PDLs with a second chance, supported by Mayor Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano, Congresswoman Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon and the City Council.

This also complements existing education initiatives such as the Alternative Learning System (ALS), which has already been implemented for PDLs.

One beneficiary, identified only as “Coco,” who has been detained for more than two years on a drug-related case, said the opportunity to earn a college degree gives him hope for better employment and a fresh start after serving his sentence.

“Wala gyud mi nag-expect [sa prison naay college education]; instead moana mi nga unta makauli namo karun naa nay linya mi nga unta makahuman nami og skwela, magamit ni namo ig gawas namo puhon, naa mi mapasigarbo atleast malipay among pamilya ug community. Thankful kaayo mi,” said Coco.

READ: DepEd, BJMP sign pact to empower PDLs via alternative education

(We really didn’t expect [that there would be a college education in prison]; instead, we used to just say that we hoped we could go home. But now, we have a clear path to hopefully finish school, which we can use when we are released in the future. We will have something to be proud of, and at least our families and community will be happy. We are so thankful.)

Meanwhile, the city government and BJMP-Mandaue earlier this week provided livelihood and entrepreneurship assistance to former PDLs who are Mandaue residents as part of their aftercare and reintegration program. The initiative, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the City Social Welfare and Services Office, aims to help them rebuild their lives and successfully reintegrate into the community after their release.///

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