CEBB Celebrates Fifth Commencement Exercises

Fifteen Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) at the College Education Behind Bars (CEBB) put on their caps and gowns on Thursday to receive their diploma and kickstart a brighter future for themselves. They completed their senior high school from Thompson Christian School, which partners with SETBI, and will enroll in CEBB's Bachelor of Science program in Electrical Engineering taught by the University of Southeastern Philippines faculty.“Our PDL have violated the law and are deprived of their liberty but not of their fundamental rights, including the right to receive education,” the Hon. Retrina Fuentes, Executive Judge, Regional Trial Court,11th Judicial Region Court, Davao City said during her congratulatory message. Over 100 students have graduated the CEBB program at the Davao City Jail campus. This initiative has provided PDL with the opportunity to earn university degrees or a senior high school diploma, representing a significant milestone toward a brighter future. The establishment of a new campus at Davao Prison and Penal Farm, through the partnership between the Social Entrepreneurship, Technology, Business Institute Inc., (SETBI) Davao Del Norte State College, and the Bureau of Corrections has been instrumental in expanding CEBB’s reach and impact.

Its transformative power transcends even to the most unwanted place in society – prison or jail and redirects lives even of the most segregated and stigmatized members of the community – the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL). In Davao City Jail, where CEBB was piloted as the first of its kind in the Philippines and in Asia, it has been a game-changer since its operation in 2017. It has broken barriers and stigmas giving new perspectives to and dispelling stereotypes among PDL. The CEBB program, conceived by the SETBI in partnership with the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) aims to help PDL overcome personal, economic, social, and civic deficiencies by offering a quality college education. The opportunity to pursue a college education, earn a degree and college diploma, and become market-ready while behind bars has marked a transformative moment in the lives of PDL in Davao City Jail.

CEBB is a product of a partnership initiated by the SETBI with other government instrumentalities, besides USeP and the BJMP, such as the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), the

Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and other private sectors and organizations. The collaboration started when SETBI partnered with the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) XI on September 28, 2016, through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to formally establish and operationalize CEBB. The  program has produced more than 110  graduates to date. Meanwhile, more than 157 students are expected to enroll in the CEBB programs for the 2024-2025 school year.