MANILA: Persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the country's largest penal facility will soon be provided with art education by a local high school, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said Wednesday. In a statement, BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said the agency has partnered with the Muntinlupa National High School (MNHS) for an extension program of the school's Senior High School- Arts and Design Track at the Medium Security Camp of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). Under the program, PDL students shall receive formal education in Senior High School with Arts and Design Track equivalent to the Senior High School program with Arts and Design Track offered by other education institutions in free society. The program is in compliance with Republic Act 10533, also known as the Enhanced Basic Education Act or 2013. In his message to the potential beneficiaries of the program, Catapang told the PDLs that BuCor's mission is to reform them and help them 'be a better person this time around.' 'We wi ll bring out the best in you,' he said, noting that the almost PHP700,000 proceeds from the sale of PDLs' paintings during recent exhibits at the lobby of the Supreme Court only prove that 'all of you have their own talents somehow.' 'All you have to do is discover it for yourself, and we will help you enhance it for your future and prepare you until you have finished serving your sentence,' Catapang said. 'Who knows, we might find a modern Amorsolo (Fernando Amorsolo, known as the Grand Old Man of Philippine Art) among our PDLs with a talent given by God,' he added. Catapang thanked Dr. Florento Marmeto, MNHS principal, and Dr. Eric Fungo, Public School District Supervisor of Department of Education - National Capital Region, for forging the partnership that will 'strengthen the reformation program' being undertaken by the agency. Source: Philippines News Agency
