(Photo: PUP)
MANILA, (PIA) — The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) met with officials from the Manila City Jail to discuss potential academic collaborations aimed at providing lifelong learning opportunities for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), over the weekend.
The roundtable dialogue explored offering courses and educational programs tailored for PDLs within the jail facility, as well as other areas for joint undertakings by the two institutions.
“The PUP Open University System will serve as the main hub for learning, a place for second chances, for many Filipinos keen on finding their footing through the power of education,” said PUP President Manuel Muhi.
The Manila City Jail, which houses the largest PDL population in the country as its oldest jail facility, aims to spearhead innovations in rehabilitative education to help secure social justice and better reintegration into society for its inmates.
Representing the jail administration were Superintendent Lino Soriano, Superintendent David Jambales and Senior Jail Officer Linda Lomino.
PUP’s delegation, on the other hand, included Muhi, Open University Executive Director Guillermo Bernabe and officials from extension, alumni and communications offices.
Muhi noted that PUP’s core values are rooted in public service and a commitment to serving others, embracing people from all backgrounds and providing equal access to education opportunities anchored on social justice principles.
“This initiative is well within the strategic goals and mandate of the university to provide opportunities for lifelong learning,” Muhi said of the exploratory talks on the potential education partnership.
The proposed collaborative undertaking seeks to harness education as a tool for reformation and empowerment of PDLs in support of their economic self-sufficiency and social re-assimilation upon release. (PIA-NCR)
