Ninety-two persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from the male and female dormitories of Talisay City Jail graduated from elementary and senior high school under the Alternative Learning System (ALS). The ceremony was held inside the jail facility on Monday, July 6, 2026.
Graduation ceremony inside the jail
The graduates, who continued their studies while incarcerated, marked a significant step in their rehabilitation. The event proved that education and personal growth are possible even behind bars. Family members of the graduates attended the ceremony, along with Talisay City Councilor Danny Caballero, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Christine Paquibot (representing Schools Division Superintendent Arden Monisit), and officials from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) 7.
Emotional reunion with families
After the graduation, families were allowed to celebrate with their loved ones inside the prison, where they shared a meal together. Some family members wept with joy as they watched the PDLs receive their diplomas, which symbolized hope for a brighter future and a new chance to transform their lives.
The Alternative Learning System (ALS), implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd) in partnership with the BJMP, provides out-of-school youth and adults, including PDLs, the opportunity to obtain basic education through a flexible learning program.
