A total of 271 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) MIMAROPA have taken the Alternative Learning System Accreditation and Equivalency (ALS-A&E) exam, hoping to earn elementary or high school diplomas.
BJMP Mimaropa Information Officer, Jail Officer 3 Joefrie Anglo, said the PDLs have been attending ALS programs for the past year.
After a 10-month review, they had to pass a test with multiple-choice and essay questions given by public school teachers and Bureau of Alternative Learning System personnel.
“This remarkable and significant development is in line with BJMP’s commitment to social justice and its mission to ensuring educational access for PDLs that would lead developing their skills, boosting their self-esteem, and preparing them for reintegration into society,” Anglo said.
BJMP has a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Education (DepEd) to provide basic education to out-of-school youth and adults, including PDLs.
Anglo said education gives them a chance to redeem themselves while serving time.
A total of 16 BJMP-run jails across Mimaropa participated in the one-day exam, including district, municipal, and city jails in the following areas:
- Sablayan
- San Jose
- Puerto Princesa City
- Brooke's Point
- Taytay
- San Teodoro
- Bansud
- Calapan City
- Boac
- Roxas
- Romblon
- Najuan
- Gasan
- Mamburao
- Odiongan
- Santa Cruz
Anglo said BJMP will continue providing educational programs to help PDLs prepare for life after release.
(with reports from JO3 Joefrie Anglo, IO-BJMP MIMAROPA)
