For PDL students who wish to take up entrepreneurship courses

AFTER four years and spending more than P30 million, the College Education Behind Bars (CEBB) located inside the property of the Davao Prison and Penal Farm in the City of Panabo, Davao del Norte will be operational next month for persons deprived of liberty (PDL) students who wish to take up entrepreneurship courses.

Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. said the construction of the building started in 2019 funded by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and donations through Social Entrepreneurship Technology and Business Institute (SETBI).

SETBI is a non-stock, non-profit organization and aims to foster social entrepreneurship by uniting creative individuals to address community issues. It focuses on applying principles of social entrepreneurship, business development, and innovation to enhance the well-being of others.

SETBI, according to Catapang collaborated with the BuCor in 2019 to extend its innovative education program and solidified their partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement signed by Dr. Aland D. Mizell, President of SETBI, Catalino S. Cuy, then Secretary of DDB, and Atty. Susan P. Cariaga, SETBI’s Vice President and then BuCor Dir. Gen. and now Senator Bato dela Rosa. The concerned parties share a common goal of a drug-free Philippines, with DDB funding the construction of the CEBB Administration Building and classrooms.

Catapang explained that at present, there are two classrooms designated for SETBI students, each designed to accommodate a minimum of forty students per room to ensure adequate space for the educational activities and needs of the students enrolled in the program.

For schoolyear 2023-2024, the Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship program received initial enrollees with 20 students for First Year College and 18 students for Fourth Year College. The Senior High School department welcomes forty 40 enrollees in Grade 11 and 10 in Grade 12. Furthermore, one student has enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Technology program.

Catapang said that prior to the construction of the SETBI building, classes have been held in the Visiting Hall of the Medium Security Compound since 2020.

This is a good opportunity for PDLs to pursue college education and bring home a college diploma that will equip them and be ready for the outside world once they completed serving their sentence, Catapang said.

“Our PDLs are the most stigmatized members of the community and earning a degree will break that barrier,” Catapang said.

CSINSP Edgardo F. Mendoza Jr., acting DPPF Superintendent reported to Catapang that based on their data, for the academic year 2021 – 2022, seven PDL students completed their Senior High School program, and in the subsequent academic year 2022-2023, three students successfully graduated at the same educational level while they have not yet produced any college-level graduates as the program is still in progress.

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