Manila: The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Friday announced the successful completion of courses by 144 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) under the Development Professional Growth Program, a collaborative initiative with the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU).
According to Philippines News Agency, among the graduates, 44 individuals completed the program's second offering, while the remaining graduates finished courses in the third offering. The program provided courses in Programming with Scratch, Practical Applications of Permaculture Design Ethics and Principles, Bridge English for Functional Literacy, and Business Concepts, Ideation, and the Business Plan. These courses aimed to equip PDLs with valuable knowledge and practical skills that will benefit them beyond their time in prison.
BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang congratulated the graduates, emphasizing that the most important lesson learned is the realization that every individual is capable of learning and evolving. 'At the Bureau of Corrections, we believe that corrections must go beyond custody and security. Our mandate includes reformation and preparing Persons Deprived of Liberty for their eventual reintegration into society as productive and responsible citizens,' Catapang stated.
He further highlighted that individuals should not be deprived of opportunities to learn and develop skills, regardless of their circumstances. Catapang encouraged the graduates to apply their newfound knowledge wisely, share it with others, and continue their self-development journey. 'When the day comes that you return to your families and communities, let the transformation that began here be reflected in the lives you choose to lead. Do not allow your past to become the limit of your future,' he advised.
Catapang also expressed gratitude to the UPOU and the UP Alumni Association for their role in making quality education accessible to marginalized learners. 'Our Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement has become more than an institutional partnership. Through programs such as this, it has become a concrete instrument of hope and transformation,' he remarked.
