Through the College of Public Administration and Governance (CPAG), Tarlac State University sealed a three-year partnership with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Tarlac (BJMP) for skills training and enhancement of capabilities earlier this morning (April 19) at the Tarlac City Jail Female Dormitory conference room in Baras-Baras, Tarlac City.
The project, "Hiraya: Isang Landas Pasulong," aims to capacitate the BJMP personnel with skills and knowledge in governance that would benefit the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) under the custody of the Tarlac City Jail Female Dormitory.
According to Mr. Jaylord Bernabe, CPAG extension chairperson, the project intends to conduct progressive activities, such as psychological and paralegal interventions, livelihood training, and motivational activities for PDLs and strengthening dynamic governance capacity for BJMP personnel.
The college had engaged in various short-term projects with the BJMP under its extension services long before the signing of the MOA.
CPAG Dean Dr. Edwin T. Caoleng emphasized that the said partnership and their other projects with the bureau are their way of giving back to the community through knowledge sharing.
"To serve is a privilege, and indeed po, kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa inyo for giving us this opportunity to be of service to you... This is a blessing to the college [and] to Tarlac State University to be of service to BJMP," Dean Caoleng said in his opening remarks.
In addition, TSU President Dr. Arnold E. Velasco noted that extension services delivery or serving the community is one of the university's mandates alongside instruction, research, and production.
"Ang extension program dapat na binibigay ng university ay may impact. Hindi naman natin kailangan ng napakaraming extension services to the community kung wala naman impact. Kahit iisa, dapat mayroong kabutihang naidudulot... We are here to really share with your our services na may impact talaga that after three years, mararamdaman nila [na may pagbabago]," Pres. Velasco said.
He further highlighted that long-term extension projects would be a potential research endeavor.
Moreover, as a licensed electrical engineer, Pres. Velasco even committed his services to CPAG in teaching the basics of electricity and electronics to the BJMP personnel and PDLs which would be helpful in emergencies.
Meanwhile, JSupt. Emily E. Bueno, BJMP Tarlac's Chief Operation Division and Provincial Administrator, thanked the university for having chosen their facility as the project beneficiary.
"Napakapalad po ng aming facility po dahil first time po ito na long-term program. Sabi nga po ng ating president sa TSU, ang rehabilitation po kasi mostly po hindi lang nakukuha sa short period; kailangan po long-term 'yan. So, makikita po natin talaga 'yung goal natin na maachieve natin with TSU, which is to reduce the reoffensing rate at isa po dun ay pagbalik nila sa community. 'Pag sa community po matatanggap po sila ng tao, no discrimination, no stigma, and tatanggapin po sila [sa] trabaho," JSupt. Bueno said on behalf of Jail Bureau Regional Director Rebecca B. Pawid.
During the MOA signing, the college's graduate students facilitated a hygiene seminar and haircutting training for the BJMP personnel and PDLs.
This partnership will be officially launched tomorrow (April 20) together with the long-term extension projects of the other eight colleges.
Photo by Jodie Andrea G. Pangilinan
