Mandaluyong city: Thirty-one persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) graduated from high school under the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) Educational and Training Program and the Alternative Learning Program, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said on Wednesday. The PDL graduates received their diplomas through programs administered by La Salle Greenhills.

According to Philippines News Agency, 18 of the graduates were awarded the "Br. Rafael Donato FSC General Excellence Award" with honors, recognizing their academic performance and commitment to education while incarcerated. BuCor Director General Pio Catapang Jr. encouraged other PDLs to consider education as a transformative opportunity for personal change and rehabilitation.

Catapang expressed gratitude to Maria Carmela Boncodin, president for academics and principal, and Rey Ducay, associate principal of the Alternative Education program at La Salle Greenhills, along with CIW Superintendent Daisy Sevilla-Castillote, for their roles in supporting the educational journey of the PDLs. Their combined efforts have played a pivotal role in transforming the lives and identities of these individuals through education.

Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez emphasized the themes of resilience, the power of second chances, and the need to ensure access to justice for all individuals. Castillote described the graduates' achievement as a significant milestone, underscoring the belief that education is a powerful tool for personal growth, societal reintegration, and hope, even in the most challenging environments.