BACOLOD CITY: The city government, in collaboration with the Bacolod City College (BCC), has initiated a program with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to offer college education to persons deprived of liberty (PDL). The initiative, named the College Education Behind Bars (CEBB) program, aims to provide inmates at the Metro Bacolod District Jail-Male Dorm Annex (MBDJ-MDA) the opportunity to earn a baccalaureate degree during their incarceration. According to Philippines News Agency, this partnership was officially established through the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) by Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, the chair of the BCC Board of Trustees; Supt. Abner Zamora, the jail warden of the MBDJ-MDA representing BJMP-Western Visayas' chief Supt. Simeon Dolojo; and Dr. Ma. Johanna Ann Bayoneta, BCC college administrator. The agreement underscores the BJMP's mission to provide developmental opportunities for PDL and its mandate to implement educational and skills training programs to help them become valuable members of society upon reintegration. The BCC is committed to delivering quality and affordable education, aiming to produce globally competitive graduates. In this program, 25 PDL will have the chance to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship degree within the MBDJ-MDA compound. Those with a senior high school diploma will follow a four-year curriculum that aligns with the regular academic calendar. The CEBB program will utilize a flexible hybrid format to accommodate the unique scheduling needs of the students. As part of the agreement, the BJMP will identify qualified PDL candidates, assist with necessary enrollment documentation, orient them on their responsibilities as students, and provide a suitable learning environment. On its part, the BCC will develop an academic system emphasizing admission procedures, teaching methodologies, instructor support, library access, and other student services.