DAVAO CITY – Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) inside the Isabela City Jail will undergo skills training at the Basilan Provincial Training Center of the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The program aims to provide detainees with an opportunity to learn various livelihood skills, enabling them to use these skills for a fresh start once they are released from prison.
This initiative is part of the official Memorandum of Agreement between the Provincial Training Center of TESDA and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Isabela City, within the province of Basilan.
Pisingan explained that the TESDA program is open to everyone interested in learning, particularly those unemployed, persons with disabilities (PWD), and those who did not complete their education.
Pisingan further shared that in the past two years, since he assumed the role of Chief Administrator in the province, over two thousand jobless individuals in Basilan have received NC II Certificates. These certificates have translated into job opportunities and the establishment of small businesses.
Pisingan emphasized that starting this year, Persons Deprived of Liberty will also receive attention to ensure they experience equal service from TESDA.
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Office also pledged to guarantee the safety of trainers, trainees, and equipment while the inmates undergo training within the jail facility.
In the initial phase, the training will cover areas such as bread and pastry, garments, carpentry, masonry, welding, electrical work, agriculture, and more.
According to Arthuro G. Ramos, a competency assessor, the impact is significant when detainees receive precise and expedited training. Having TESDA certificates can greatly assist them upon their release from prison, opening up new opportunities for their reintegration into society.
