A Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) accredited training center has opened at the Iloilo District Jail of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Barangay Nanga, Pototan, Iloilo.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said in an interview Thursday that this is the first time a district jail training center has received TESDA accreditation, benefiting not only the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) but also their families.
“Let us engage our PDLs. We want them to access training because rehabilitation is not just about jail. It’s about preparing them when they get out,” he said.
Provincial Public Employment Service Office manager Cynthia Dario, in a separate interview, said the goal is to make PDLs productive upon their release from the facility.
“If they are into employment or livelihood, then they can have the National Certificate (NC) being offered by TESDA. It is in place to cater to candidates who want to be trained,” Dario said.
The bookkeeping and bread and pastry courses were initially identified and awarded on March 15 by TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez during the center’s unveiling.
The bread and pastry will be for PDLs, while bookkeeping will handle non-PDLs.
A training needs analysis will also be conducted to serve as a foundation for developing more courses, which will then be submitted to TESDA.
The center offers not only TESDA training but also in-house courses through the Provincial Agriculture Office and the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office. (PNA)