JAIL is not as hell as what most people would think.
While living for correcting their past mistakes, Person's Deprived of Liberty (PDL) spend their days inside the correctional facility of Davao City Jail in Maa by studying and enhancing their skills.
A total of 131 city jail scholars graduated from vocational courses under Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) on January 22.
Of the figure, 81 of them received a certificate on Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)-National Certificate II (NC II) and 50 of them also received certificates in Electrical Installations and Maintenance (EIM) NC II. Eighteen of the graduates are former PDLs who attended these courses while they were still inside and some are Bureau of Jail and Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel.
Tesda Chief specialist Bayani Godofredo said the training started in July last year and each course lasted for three months.
The graduates are the first batch to receive the free vocational training from Tesda.
Godofredo said other than welding and electrical courses they provide, they will likewise supplement other courses such as food processing and bread and pastry production.
Indeed, living behind bars is not the end of everything. For some, it is actually a beginning of a better future.
PDL of Davao City Jail just proved that there is always a spring of hope for those who don't give up and believe.