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| LAOAG DepEd superintendent Dr. Joel Lopez hands over the certificate of completion to one of the persons deprived of liberty (PDL) graduates of ALS at the BJMP Laoag during their commencement exercises. Others in photo are Florentino Camaquin Integrated School master teacher II Mrs. Carlota A. Acacio, J/Sr. Insp. Frederick Pang-ag and other DepEd teachers. (Doms dela Cruz) |
By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff Reporter
Laoag City—32 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) currently detained at the Laoag City Jail recently graduated through the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education (DepED).
The graduates—five from elementary and 27 from secondary level—officially received their certificates of completion on July 2, 2019 at the BJMP-Laoag court from Laoag City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Joel Lopez.
In his speech, Dr. Lopez said the graduates’ accomplishments have inspired him.
“‘PDL’ means deprived of liberty but I would like to stress that you are deprived of just the physical liberty but you cannot deprive the liberty of the soul,” Dr. Lopez said.
He added that there are reasons in all things that happen in life.
“Nagradwar kayo ngata no awan kayo ditoy [BJMP],” Dr. Lopez later kidded the graduates.
DepEd’s ALS aims to improve the socio-economic status of the out-of-school youths (OSYs) and the poor by enhancing their basic educational capability through functional education and literacy, and continuing education programs which enable them to become more self-reliant and more effective.
Florentino Camaquin Integrated School master teacher II Mrs. Carlota A. Acacio also congratulated all the PDL graduates.
Mrs. Acacio, who served as guest of honor and speaker, said the graduates are “very lucky considering that despite they are inside the jail, they had still the wisdom to pursue their studies”.
Mrs. Acacio also saluted the BJMP Laoag headed by officer-in-charge J/Sr. Insp. Frederick Pang-ag for a “job well done in giving importance to the PDLs’ education.
She also urged these graduates to continue studies to college upon their release from jail as she stressed that education is a continuous process without age limit.
Graduates Joshua T. Patoc and Remarton A. Ocampo also gave their words of gratitude.
Messrs. Patoc and Ocampo thanked their parents and families for their support despite of their present situation.
Likewise, they also thanked the DepEd for this program and Mr. Pang-ag for allowing them to enroll in ALS to finish their studies.
Mr. Pang-ag likewise congratulated the graduates as he hopes this will serve as a challenge to the others to study well as enrollees of ALS in this community are increasing.
He added that despite the graduate’s present situation, they never gave up. Instead, these motivated them to become a better person in the future.
Mr. Pang-ag believes that the graduate’s strong determination would lead them to reach their goals in life.
“Kahit nandito kayo sa loob ng komunidad na ito, naipakita niyo pa rin ang mga tungkulin ninyo para sa inyo, sa mga mahal niyo sa buhay, at higit sa lahat para sa komunidad patungo sa pagbabago,” Mr. Pang-ag stressed.
The graduates’ families also witnessed their graduation exercises.
Meanwhile Mr. Lopez also lauded the PDL choir for their performance during the event. He said the Laoag DepEd is willing to help them perform for a larger crowd for a mini-concert.
BJMP-Laoag currently houses 249 PDLs.