Twenty-five persons deprived of liberty completed their senior high school education through the Alternative Learning System under Rodriguez National High School, graduating inside the Tinangis Penal Farm on April 8, 2026.

Among them is 24-year-old alias “Mark”, who finished with honors as one of the batch's top achievers. He described the milestone with barely contained emotion.

"Grabe ang kaba, grabe ang ogma—dae ko na po maintindihan talaga. Dae mi ngani ine-expect na talagang matatapos mi ini, dae mi ine-expect na talagang ma-graduate kami," he shared.

[I feel so nervous, so happy—I can't really explain it anymore. We didn't even expect that we would actually finish this, we didn't expect that we would actually graduate.]

For Mark, being given the chance to earn his secondary education while incarcerated is an act of generosity he says he will carry with him long after his release.

"Kadakol kaming nanudan, kadakol kaming achievements kaya thank you sa mga teachers na nagdigdi dawa nasa laog kami," he said, expressing gratitude to the teachers who brought their lessons — from Sci-Math and research skills to even the intramurals — inside the facility.

[We learned so much, we achieved so much — thank you to the teachers who came here even though we are inside.]

True to its commitment to inclusive programs and services, the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, under Governor Lray Villafuerte, through its CamSur Employment Center (PESO), also returned to Tinangis Penal Farm ahead of the graduation to conduct its annual Career Development and Support Program (CDSP). The initiative is designed to help PDLs reintegrate into society by addressing employability gaps, introducing labor market trends, and providing upskilling and reskilling interventions.

Mark found the program particularly valuable.

"Tinawanan po kami kani [career coaching] nin oportunidad na makahanap maray trabaho pagluwas mi ta iyo po ngani yan an pinakakaipo mi talaga," he explained.

[This career coaching gave us the opportunity to find better jobs once we get out.]

He shared that the sessions taught him how to prepare a resumé and sharpen his interview skills, while also helping him identify his strengths, weaknesses, and marketable competencies.

When asked about his future plans, he said he is now weighing two offers — one to start a small business and another to pursue college education, with supporters citing his sharp mind. He is considering political science, drawn to it in part by his firsthand experience navigating the realities of incarceration.

Beyond the CDSP, the Provincial Government has consistently brought services to Tinangis Penal Farm, regularly conducting skills and livelihood trainings, as well as medical missions for the PDL population.