MORE than a hundred detainees of the Davao City Jail graduated vocational courses under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) last January 22.
One hundred thirty-one graduates received their certificates for Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Smaw)-National Certificate 2 (NC-2) and Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM)-NC2.
Eighty-two percent or 113 graduates are detainees, while the remaining 18 are family members of detainees, former inmates who started the training while they were still inside the jail and Bureau of Jail and Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel.
Eighty-one received their completion certificates for Smaw, while 50 received certificates for EIM.
Tesda chief specialist Bayani Godofredo said this number is composed of the combined three batches of Smaw and two batches of EIM.
"The training started July last year. Each course is good for three months (but it was extended). There are some batches that took classes scheduled on weekends," he said.
These graduates are those who took their assessment on the third week of December.
These combined batches are the first to receive the free vocational education from Tesda.
The graduates were escorted by their family members as they went to the stage to receive their graduation certificates.
The oldest who graduated was a 56-year-old detainee, and the youngest is 18 years old.
They sang "Pagsubok" as their graduation song.
Jonas, 23 years old, who has been a detainee for two years and six months, said he is so happy.
"Dili malikayan nga maglisud kay naa man ta diri sa sulod pero luyo sa among kalisud, naabot ra namo (Despite the sufferings of being incarcerated, we were able to graduate)," he said.
Jonas was among those who completed a welding course.
Jonas's cousin who attended the ceremony said that she is also happy that Tesda has done something for the detainees.
A parent of one of the detainees named Dranreb also expressed her joy on her son's graduation.
"Nalipay ko ug dako kay bisan naa siya diri sa sulod, naka-graduate siya ug vocational with certificate sa Tesda pa gyud. Gusto nako na makakuha na pud unta siya ug electrical kay iyang gikuha karon welding. Kay puhon-puhon, makagawas siya, makatrabaho siya, para sa iyang mga anak (I am overjoyed because even though he is in prison, he graduated and has a Tesda certificate to show for it. I also want him to get electrical course as he already finished the welding course. Once he's freed, then he can work for the future of his children)," said Gloria, 62.
Davao City Jail Warden J/Superintendent Grace Taculin said most of detainees did not expect that they will attain higher education inside the jail.
Taculin said they open the courses for those who are willing to learn, and those who enlisted their names underwent an interview because there are courses that require educational attainment.
"For example, sa electrical installation and maintenance, they need to have at least high school education because they are taught on planning and electrical wiring, so they need to understand well," she said.
She said the graduation of the first batch of detainees will not be possible without the cooperation of Tesda, which allotted a total of P3 million for the education of the detainees.
Taculin, however, said the good news is Tesda Regional Director Gaspar Gayona has committed to issue again another P3 million for 2018's budget.
"We will add more training courses and increase the number of graduates. We will add courses like food processing, dressmaking," she said.
She added that bread and pastry course is also among the courses they requested.
She said the training is open for the family of the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) or detainees.
Taculin said the family members of the detainees can attend as long as they will follow the rules, especially on what and what not to bring inside the jail.
They will have the same schedule as the detainees.
"Every morning, the family will come here and can join the class. In the afternoon, they will also be dismissed. They will also come to the jail during the schedule of the assessment," Taculin said.
She said they are eyeing to hire skilled inmates for future developments inside the jail, but added they are just waiting for its approval.
Godofredo, meanwhile, said that Tesda will have more batches for welding and electrical courses, and as what Taculin has said, they will add food processing course as well.
"We will have additional course of food processing... that is the need of the BJMP. Bread and pastry production will also be lined up in 2018," he said.