Offering education, livelihood opportunities, and other Science and Technology interventions even beyond bars, University of Antique and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) VI launch the “Holistic Opportunities and People’s Empowerment (HOPE) in BJMP San Jose through CEST (Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology)” Project which will benefit the 125 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) – San Jose District Jail, January 31.

With Php 2,439,868.00 funding from DOST VI, UA through the HOPE Project will offer classes for 25 qualified PDLs for them to earn their college degree and diploma.

Competency-based training will also be offered for the PDLs who are not yet qualified to take their college degree yet willing to earn National Certification.

Dr. Pablo S. Crespo Jr., believes that this opportunity serves as a second chance for PDLs and thanked the DOST VI for making UA part of their lives saying, “Salamat gid kay ginbuligan nyo ang University of Antique nga ma achieve ang mission to transform lives and build a better, a safer community and a nation.”

Aside from Human Resource Development through education, the Holistic Empowerment also entails provision of bakery equipment and trainings for the livelihood or economic enterprise development of PDLs, RxBox, water filters, and health meal planning for their Health and Nutrition, and trainings on environmental protection and conservation and disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

Dr. Crespo also looks at the possibility of providing the 25 PDLs life coaches and seeking the help of the university’s Guidance Center for their mental well-being.

DOST VI through Engr. Rowen R. Gelonga, CESO II, Regional Director of DOST VI, and BJMP with Dr. JCSUPT Simeon S. Dolojo Jr., Regional Director of BJMP Region VI, and UA represented by Dr. Crespo officially sealed the partnership through signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Also present during the launching are Engr. Elmer C. Untaran, Mayor of Municipality of San Jose de Buenavista, Engr. Eleazar Salvador T. Moscoso, Provincial S&T Director, Antique PSTO, JCINSP Jobert T. Tulayan, Acting Jail warden, BJMP San Jose, UA Top Management together with the Directors, and Deans. Hon. Antonio Agapito “AA” B. Legarda, Representative of Lone District of Antique, also sent his message of support./IU