152 PDL in Kalinga jail get education, skills training to prepare for life after release

BJMP says programs aim to ease the burden of detention, build skills, and help PDL return to their families and communities

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Behind the walls of the BJMP Kalinga District Jail, 152 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) are not only under custody—they are also being given opportunities to study, learn livelihood skills, access rehabilitation services, and prepare for their eventual return to their families and communities.

Acting Jail Warden Rolando Diwas said the facility’s responsibility goes beyond maintaining security, emphasizing that PDL should also be given opportunities to learn, develop skills, and prepare for life after detention.

“Ang aming layunin ay hindi lang ang mapanatili ang seguridad ng aming facility kundi mabigyan din ang ating mga PDL na matuto, magbago at makapaghanda para sa kanilang pagbabalik sa kani-kanilang pamilya at komunidad,” Diwas said.

Who are the 152 PDL?

Based on the latest records shared by Diwas, 152 PDL are currently under the custody of the Kalinga District Jail. Of this number, 146 are male and six are female, excluding one female PDL who was released on August 12, 2026.

As of August 6, 2026, Tabuk City accounted for the largest share, with 86 PDL. This was followed by Pinukpuk with 18, Rizal with 11, Tinglayan with five, Balbalan with four, and Tanudan and Lubuagan with three each.

No PDL was recorded from Pasil, while 22 came from outside Kalinga. The PDL population is also distributed across different age groups. Thirty-one PDL are between 25 and 30 years old, making this the largest age group in the facility. This is followed by 27 aged 31 to 35, 26 aged 18 to 24, and another 26 aged 36 to 41. Meanwhile, 13 PDL are aged 42 to 47; 12 are aged 48 to 53; 11 are aged 54 to 59; and six are aged 60 and above.

Most cases still under trial

Of the 152 PDL, 115 are undergoing trial, while 37 have already been sentenced. Five are also listed for arraignment based on the facility’s case-status records.

Diwas said approximately 43 percent of the PDL population are facing cases involving violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The remaining 57 percent are facing other criminal cases, including rape, murder, and physical injuries.

Despite differences in the nature of their cases, Diwas explained that PDL are generally not separated according to the gravity of their alleged offenses. Instead, classification is based on factors such as security, health, age, legal status, and other operational considerations.

Education behind bars

One of the facility’s major rehabilitation efforts is education through the Alternative Learning System (ALS) in partnership with the Department of Education. As of August 2026, 19 PDL are enrolled in educational programs at the facility. Seven are enrolled in Junior High School, seven in Senior High School, and one in elementary education under ALS. Four others are enrolled in the College Education Behind Bars (CEBB) program.

Diwas said the facility has already seen PDL complete their basic education, with five graduating from Senior High School in 2025 and subsequently enrolling in the CEBB program.

Because the college program is still relatively new, the facility has yet to produce its first college graduate under CEBB. The jail coordinates with educational institutions, particularly Kalinga State University (KSU), to make higher education accessible to qualified PDL.

The facility’s educational efforts also include access to reading materials.

In June 2026, KSU strengthened its partnership with the jail through Project B.U.K.L.O.D. (Building Users’ Knowledge and Literacy for On-Site Development), which established a library corner intended to benefit approximately 150 PDL.

Skills training for life after release

Education is complemented by practical skills training designed to prepare PDL for employment or livelihood opportunities once they are released.

The facility coordinates with government agencies such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for technical and vocational training. Some programs, including practical wiring, are supported through scholarships and allowances for participants.

The jail also welcomes training initiatives from outside organizations. One recent example was an accessory-making training conducted by the Kalinga Indigenous Weavers Association (KINWA)-Etnika during Indigenous Peoples Month.

The free training provided PDL with an additional practical skill that they may potentially use as a source of livelihood after their release.

‘Meron at meron kaming gagawin para sa kanila’

For Diwas, these activities are not simply ways of keeping PDL occupied while serving their sentences.

“Sa programs naman, kabilin-bilinan talaga ng ating regional director nga kailangan, habang andito ang mga PDL natin, meron at meron kaming gagawin para sa kanila: to ease their burden and to equip them with skills through trainings,” he said.

He explained that the jail’s mandate involves two interconnected responsibilities: safekeeping and development.

While PDL remain under close supervision, the facility also works to provide them with education, training, and opportunities that could help them build a better future once they return to their families and communities.

For the 152 people currently behind the walls of the Kalinga District Jail, their days in confinement are therefore not solely about waiting for their cases to be resolved or their sentences to end.

They are also being given opportunities to learn a new skill, continue their education, discover a livelihood, and prepare for a second chance beyond the jail gates.

For BJMP-Kalinga, the goal is clear: keep them safe, help them grow, and prepare them to return to society better equipped for life after release.