By TRISHA MANDAP | Senior Resource Mobilization Officer
On June 27, 2025, more than 900 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa celebrated a powerful milestone—completing their Basic Literacy, Grade 6, and Junior High School education through the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System (ALS).
Despite being deprived not only of liberty but also of access to resources, these learners—guided and taught by their fellow PDL ALS teachers—recorded the highest number of passers and completers in the entire city, based on DepEd’s most recent assessment.
For the first time, families of the moving-up learners were allowed to witness the ceremony, turning the day into a moving celebration of second chances, reunion, and redemption.
Roberta Lopez-Feliciano, Managing Director of ABS-CBN Foundation, served as guest speaker. She shared her connection to incarceration through her father, Eugenio “Geny” Lopez Jr., a former political detainee, and reminded the learners: “ .”
Programa Genio’s Program Head, Teacher Maricar Estole, gave an inspirational message highlighting the power of second chances: “ — , .”
This momentous event was made possible through the collaboration of the Bureau of Corrections, DepEd ALS Puerto Princesa, and Programa Genio of ABS-CBN Foundation.
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