31 inmates benefit from skills training

BONTOC, Mt. Province -- Employment is important for an inmates’ reintegration into the community.

With this in mind, the staff of TESDA – Mt. Province forged a Memorandum of Agreement with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) - Mt. Province to help improve the economic status of inmates ahead of their release.

As a result, 31 inmates and one (1) jail staff completed the Body Massage training inside the Bontoc Provincial Jail on December 18, 2017.

“Gawis ay naagkan kamis atensiyon nan gobyerno, salamat kendakayo. Dakkel nan nasuruak gapus nan training. Dakkel san itulong na issan pamilyak no makabala ak,” (We are thankful that the government is still giving attention to us. This training taught me a lot. This will help me and my family upon my release.) said one of the inmates who shared her message to her co-trainees during the graduation ceremonies.

The TESDA Provincial Office partnered with BJMP to provide inmates access to skills training and other interventions that would facilitate their re-integration. Reintegration and uplift of economic status may be through self- or wage-employment.

The inmate-graduates were issued a Certificate of Training during the graduation ceremony. Those who already passed the competency assessment were given National Certificate. Toolkits were also issued, to ensure that they could immediately practice their craft upon release.