19 female PDLs in QC get college degree
AT least 19 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) finished Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship under the Quezon City government's "No Woman Left Behind" program, Mayor Joy Belmonte said on Monday. Held at Camp Karingal over the weekend, the graduation rites were also attended by Department of Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, Gender and Development Council Secretary Janete Oviedo, QC Jail Female Dormitory (JFD) Warden Chief Insp. Lourvina Abrazado and other key city officials. Dr. Gerardo Bautista, Quezon City University dean of College of Business Administration and Accountancy, presented the graduates, while Dr. Theresita Atienza, QCU president, conferred the degrees. "It was really satisfying and heartwarming too that we have female PDLs who earned a degree under the local government's program," Belmonte said. "This only shows that being a detainee is not a hindrance to pursue studies," she added. Of the 19 graduates, one has been convicted, six have been released and completed the program online, and 12 are still detained with ongoing cases. As entrepreneurship graduates, they would be given the opportunity to take advantage of the "Pangkabuhayang QC" assistance program and "Tindahan ni Ate Joy" program, the city government said. "Moreover, the lucky graduates would also have the chance to be employed through the QC Public Employment Services Office once they are released," the city chief executive said. The Belmonte administration through the city's Gender and Development Council, with the assistance of JFD, launched the tertiary programs for PDLs through a continuing education and opportunity to finish a college degree in two years through blended learning or face-to-face and online classes.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
AT least 19 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) finished Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship under the Quezon City government's "No Woman Left Behind" program, Mayor Joy Belmonte said on Monday.
Held at Camp Karingal over the weekend, the graduation rites were also attended by Department of Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, Gender and Development Council Secretary Janete Oviedo, QC Jail Female Dormitory (JFD) Warden Chief Insp. Lourvina Abrazado and other key city officials.
Dr. Gerardo Bautista, Quezon City University dean of College of Business Administration and Accountancy, presented the graduates, while Dr. Theresita Atienza, QCU president, conferred the degrees.
"It was really satisfying and heartwarming too that we have female PDLs who earned a degree under the local government's program," Belmonte said.
"This only shows that being a detainee is not a hindrance to pursue studies," she added.
Of the 19 graduates, one has been convicted, six have been released and completed the program online, and 12 are still detained with ongoing cases.
As entrepreneurship graduates, they would be given the opportunity to take advantage of the "Pangkabuhayang QC" assistance program and "Tindahan ni Ate Joy" program, the city government said.
"Moreover, the lucky graduates would also have the chance to be employed through the QC Public Employment Services Office once they are released," the city chief executive said.
The Belmonte administration through the city's Gender and Development Council, with the assistance of JFD, launched the tertiary programs for PDLs through a continuing education and opportunity to finish a college degree in two years through blended learning or face-to-face and online classes.
