An airconditioned learning hub with television and two sets of computers is ready to be used by Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) from Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) – San Jose District as they start to earn their college degree on September 21, even behind bars, through University of Antique (UA).

Sec. Renato U. Solidum Jr., Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary, together with Dr. Pablo S. Crespo Jr., UA President, led the inauguration today, August 22, 2024, as one of the highlights of the 2024 Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week in Western Visayas.

PDLs already passed the entrance examination at UA and will take Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship through blended learning. The chance to earn a college degree and other trainings are initiated through the Holistic Opportunities and People’s Empowerment (HOPE) in BJMP San Jose under the Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) Project.

Sec. Solidum expressed his commitment to continuously help the PDLs together with UA and personnel of BJMP as he urged them to continue working hard and take the opportunities given to them through the learning hub.

“Wag mawalan ng pag-asa sa bawat pagsubok na inyong dinaranas, isaisip natin parati ang pangarap at iyong kapasidad (o) kakayahan na makamit kung ano man ang inyong pangarap,” he added.

DOST and UA are set to add more to the facilities at BJMP in order to provide a more conducive learning environment to the new Kasubays, the PDLs.