Some 144 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) completed courses under the Development Professional Growth Program, a partnership between the Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) and the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU).

BuCor director general Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said 44 of the graduates were from the program’s second offering, while the rest completed courses under the third offering.

The culmination ceremony was held at the Medium Security Compound of the BuCor national headquarters in Muntinlupa City.

The courses covered Programming with Scratch, Practical Applications of Permaculture Design Ethics and Principles, Bridge English for Functional Literacy, and Business Concepts, Ideation and the Business Plan.

Catapang said the program reflected BuCor’s mandate to go beyond custody and security by preparing PDLs for eventual reintegration into society.

“Your achievement today is more than a certificate. It represents the hours you devoted to learning to prepare yourselves for a better future,” Catapang said.

He said education was crucial to genuine correction and rehabilitation.

“A person may be deprived of liberty, but he or she should never be deprived of the opportunity to learn, develop skills, discover potential, and hope for a better tomorrow,” he said.

Catapang urged the graduates to use and share their knowledge and continue developing their skills.

He also thanked UPOU and the University of the Philippines Alumni Association for their partnership in providing educational opportunities to PDLs.