The Social Entrepreneurship Technology and Business Institute (SETBI) and University of Southeastern Philippines received a grant of 3 Million for the third phase of the construction of educational facilities for the College Behind Bars project in the Davao Prison and Penal Farm Colony.
The initiative aims to help persons deprived of liberty (PDL) serve their sentences in a secure setting while educating them and giving them an opportunity to transform their lives for the better. According to Atty. Susan Cariaga, the PDLs receive college-equivalent diplomas which could help them prepare for their future outside of prison.
Another 3.4 Million was turned over to the Local Government Unit of Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur for the construction of a local drug education center.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami dahil malaking bagay ang financial assistance na ito para sa bayan namin,” said Mayor Celso Matias. “Rest assured that the funding will be used for the construction and development of a drug education center, which our youth and our drug surrenderers will benefit from,” he added.
“Through this partnership, we hope that more LGUs and private institutions will be able to come up with interventions. They are essential in helping our youth grow in a thriving environment, and in assisting PWUDs to return to mainstream society as healthy and productive individuals,” said DDB Chairman Secretary Catalino S. Cuy.
The beneficiaries were given financial support as part of the DDB’s pledge to assist local government units and treatment and rehabilitation centers in need of funding for the implementation of in- and out-patient programs. The DDB receives annual funding for the construction, maintenance and operation of government owned DATRCs, and have included community-based LGU-led programs in the mechanism of support. The beneficiaries chosen this year were the ones whose program proposals were in line with the priority thrusts of the DDB to put communities at the center of the anti-drug advocacy.
This initiative is in line with the demand reduction program under the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy (PADS), which prioritizes improving access to government residential and private DATRCs, as well as community-based treatment and interventions for PWUDs who need out-patient services.