00:00 The principles of restitution and retribution are the reasons for the establishment of institutions
00:05 of correctionals and prisons for those who need to pay their debts to society for going
00:10 outside the bounds of the law.
00:13 But there is also another side or purpose for detention and jail facilities that offers
00:18 renewal, recovery and redemption while serving time.
00:23 Kenneth Pechenta on female detainees or PDLs who seized the opportunity to take a leap
00:27 forward in this report.
00:30 56-year-old Grace has been imprisoned at the Manila City Jail female dormitory for
00:37 two years due to an illegal drugs charge.
00:40 She thought all her plans in life would end here.
00:44 But today, Grace graduated from grade school after getting into the alternative learning
00:49 system of the education department.
00:52 I learned how to read and write.
00:53 I can count and I know everything.
00:55 Even though I was imprisoned, I did not waste the time I was imprisoned.
00:59 Grace is one of the 54 female persons deprived of liberty who finished basic education while
01:05 166 others completed junior high school.
01:08 Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte recognized the PDLs' persistence,
01:13 especially in not letting the bars be an obstacle to achieving their dreams of having a better
01:19 life in the future.
01:21 Life will not be easy.
01:25 But even if it is not easy, especially for you, it will be full of opportunities if you
01:34 can only look at the positive things that are happening in your life.
01:43 VP Sara also urged those who have graduated to continue their studies when set free.
01:49 She also ensured that education, particularly through the alternative learning system, will
01:54 be strengthened by the DepEd not only in prisons but also in the community.
01:59 Because our mandate in the Department of Education is formal and non-formal schooling, we want
02:05 to get all of them to graduate basic education here in our country.
02:11 Manila City Jail will continue to encourage PDLs to be part of the ALS.
02:16 Based on their data, most of those who enter prison do not have enough education.
02:21 We have some elders who are challenged.
02:24 They have no read, no write.
02:26 They don't want to study anymore because they are 60 years old.
02:31 I told them, "While you are 60 years old, you should study so you won't be sad."
02:36 Aside from access to ALS, the Office of the Vice President also provided financial assistance
02:42 for PDL graduates.
02:44 Kenneth Paciente, for the Nation.
02:48 the nation.
02:48 (upbeat music)
