The Provincial Government, through the Camarines Sur Public Employment Service Office (PESO), in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), conducted the Livelihood Training Program among 50 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) in the Camarines Sur Provincial Jail and Penal Farm, Tinangis, Pili on July 18, 2025.
Livelihood trainings aim to equip PDL with practical skills and knowledge that will support their rehabilitation, reintegration, and self-sufficiency. This will also create more opportunities once they attain freedom.
Trainers from TESDA conducted the session, demonstrating the preparation of siomai and tocino.
Lucila Hebrio, a prison guard at the provincial jail, emotionally shared her sentiment with the PDLs with whom she interacted daily.
“Tama ‘yung sinabi ni Former Justice Secretary Bersamin na kailangan ang mga PDL ay mabigyan ng quality of life. Kayanapakalaking benepisyo nitong training. Sa pagpasok nila dito, kumbaga ang kaisipan nila nakagawa sila ng pagkakamali sa ating komunidad, sa ating nasyon, pero unti-unti silang natututo, lalo na sa pagpasok nila ng ALS at sa ganitong pa-training,” said Hebrio.
Alias “Sarah” of Tinambac, Camarines Sur, who was serving three years in prison, expressed her gratitude to the government. “Happy po ako kasi dawa mga arog kami kaini (PDL), natawan kami nin chance asin atensyon kan [gobyerno]. Salamat po Gov. sa mayong sawang pagsuporta siring man sa paghiling sa samuyang kamugtakan digdi sa Tinangis Jail and Penal Farm,” she said.
To ensure continued and sustainable support for PDLs in their reintegration into society, the CamSur PESO also facilitated a Career Development Support Program (CDSP) on July 22, 2025, following the successful food processing training. The CDSP aimed to address employability gaps, introduce emerging labor market trends, and provide upskilling and reskilling opportunities to help PDLs better prepare for the workforce upon their release.
In addition, 15 PDLs who successfully completed the Alternative Learning System (ALS) were gifted with school supplies to further encourage their educational pursuits.
This livelihood training and career coaching initiative exemplifies the commitment of the Provincial Government, under the leadership of Governor Lray Villafuerte, to ensuring that all Camarinenses—regardless of their circumstances—are given the opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity, skills, and a brighter future.
