Changing the lives and Breaking down the barriers by
LYNNYTH V. AGUILAR
B.A. in Political Science ( MCISA President)
For its 3rd International Conference on Transformative Education for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL), SETBI partnered with the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP). This conference, held on October 9-11 this year, was an eye-opening experience for me. It was a gathering of the minds with different backgrounds but the same interests to bring together national and international educators, corrections officers, administrators, students, law enforcers, law makers, practitioners, NGOs, and universities from all over the Philippines to Davao City. As a political science student, I was impressed by the conversations, interests, and presentations. I am very proud to be a part of this great social movement and organization. The theme of the conference was “Beyond Barriers: Reconnect and Rebuild.” In fact, three former PDL were given opportunities to attend and share their testimonies about the importance of SETBI’s educational and recovery program inside and outside the jails and prisons. USeP Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension, Dr. Roger C. Montepio, opened the conference while SETBI President, Dr. Aland D. Mizell, and USeP President, Dr. Bonifacio G. Gabales, Jr., gave powerful messages contending that higher education coupled with values formation serves as a significant step in re-imagining societal privilege and systemic inequalities through the lens of PDL. Moreover, both underscored that education is a right that must be afforded to all people and that it is a shared responsibility. Dr Mizell said, inside does not mean out of sight and, therefore, out of the mind. He went on to emphasize that for them to be transformed, there should be more opportunities available for the PDL and less obstacles. He also argued that conditions inside of jails and prison need to be changed. Later, the conference resumed with a plenary session concerning the partnership between the Department of Corrections and SETBI programs inside jails and prisons.