41 PDL in QC complete housekeeping training

Learning goes on even behind bars.

This was shown by 41 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) of the Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory after they completed their Basic Housekeeping Skills Training program.

During the recognition program, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said the PDL who completed their training served as an inspiration to both fellow PDL and the public.

“Kayo ang magpapatunay na pwede palang magkaroon ng pangalawang pagkakataon lahat ng tao. Kayo ang inspirasyon sa aming lahat,” Belmonte said.

(You are the proof that every person can be given a second chance.)

In partnership with Park Inn by Radisson North Edsa and Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory, the Basic Housekeeping Skills Training program was launched on October 4.

Jail Chief Superintendent Clint Russel Tangeres, Regional Director of the Jail Bureau - National Capital Region, said this program will help reduce the number of returning PDL.

“Babalik at babalik sila sa community so kung hindi sila ma reform, hindi magiging productive. Problema pa rin,” Tangeres said.

(The PDL will return to the community, so if they cannot reform, they cannot be productive, which will remain a problem.

According to Tangeres, 30% of returning PDL with the same offenses were recorded in Metro Manila, of which 10% or less were logged in Quezon City.

A chance to start again

The program is conducted every weekend, and the PDL must finish the 100-hour training.

Among the 41 selected PDL was 35-year-old “Neng,” who was released last October.

“Masaya pero nakakapanibago kasi balik ka sa umpisa,” Neng said as she shared her experience after she was released.

(I’m happy but something feels different since I’m back from the beginning.)

She added that despite being released, she chose to complete the training since it can be useful in finding a job, especially abroad.

“Wag silang mawawalang ng pag-asa (Do not lose hope),” Neng said.

Meanwhile, for 30-year-old “Mav,” the training program is a rare opportunity given to PDL.

She added that the program gave her hope in securing a job.

“Isang malaking pag-asa ito sa amin. Pag ang isang taong nakulong at siya’y nakalabas, nahihirapan silang magkaroon ng trabaho pero sa ganito pong training, na may magandang background, mapapadali sa amin magkaroon ng emloyment,” Mav said.

(This brings us hope. When a PDL is released, they find difficulty in looking for a job but with this training, which has a good background, it will be easier for us to be employed.)

The PDL who received the training were ages 25 to 40 years old.

Breaking the stigma

To further help PDL secure jobs, Belmonte said establishments refusing to hire former PDL may face charges under the Quezon City Anti-Discrimination Ordinance. 

“The city will penalize establishments that do not accept a skilled or qualified worker just because that person had a history na hindi nila nagustuhan, so bawal yan sa Quezon City (that they find undesirable, so that is prohibited in Quezon City),” Belmonte said.

With a mock hotel room constructed in the Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory, Belmonte said whoever is interested in training can apply for the program.

Meanwhile, Peggy Angeles, executive vice president of SM Hotel and Convention Corp., one of Radisson's partners, said the company is looking forward to training another batch of PDL in 2025.

“I think there are more than 500 PDL here, so we’re looking forward to Batch 2 and hopefully Batch 3,” Angeles said. “If we can at least 30% of the population, so we’re talking about at least three batches.”

“What happened today is a movement. We break the stigma na hindi porket nakulong ang isang tao ay wala na siyang chance mamuhay ng normal, magkaroon ng magandang kinabukasan paglaya niya,” Mav said.

(What happened today is a movement. We break the stigma that if a person has been detained, they don’t have a chance to live a normal life and a bright future.)—LDF, GMA Integrated News