It was a graduation ceremony held in a peculiar setting. Thirty-seven inmates received their diplomas inside the four walls of the country’s national penitentiary.
A total of 18 student-inmates received their bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship during the commencement exercises at the University of Perpetual Help Bilibid Extension School under the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). Nineteen other students finished their two-year hardware servicing course.
“For the past four years, this university had been my home,” student-inmate Arnulfo Monreal said, as reported by Inquirer.
“Education changed my whole personality. Standing tall and proud before you is a changed man,” he added.
Newly appointed Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa delivered the commencement speech in front of all graduates and their families. He assured them that he will go out of his way to look into the alleged anomalies at the NBP’s Inmate Documents Processing Section (IDPS), amid complaints that some prisoners’ jail time have been computed wrongly
“This is the assurance I give you: I will make sure that you will not be dealt a further injustice by not getting the right computation (of your remaining time inside the NBP),” Bato said.
The school began operations in 1985 and has since produced 500 inmate-graduates. Each prisoner must pass a rigorous entrance exam and interview before being admitted as a student.
Martin Alafriz, one of the computer servicing graduates, expressed his gratitude for being given the opportunity to finish his education.
“They treat us like regular students here and really push us to learn. In some schools outside (prison), teachers don’t care whether or not you come to class.” Alafriz said.
For other inmates like 49-year-old Basilio Valdez, the education he received will be his ticket to repairing broken ties with his family and earning a living after spending jail time in Bilibid.
“Aside from adding to my knowledge, I can use this (diploma) to finally find a job for my family,” said Valdez
