In a push to turn time behind bars into an opportunity for change, the Iloilo City Government has stepped up its Skills, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Development Activity (SELDA) — a rebranded initiative designed to equip persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) with practical skills for life after jail.
Since its start during the pandemic, over 100 male and female inmates have completed training under the Technical Institute of Iloilo City (TIIC), gaining expertise in trades ranging from bread and pastry making to massage therapy and beauty care.
“PDLs deserve a second chance. By giving them skills, we are giving them options to earn a living decently,” said TIIC Administrator Mathilde Treñas. “When they are released, they can open a small business or find a job.”
Under the new SELDA branding, TIIC plans to expand the range of jail-based courses to include carpentry, computer operations, food processing, and electronics repair — all of which are already offered in the community.
The city government recently formalized its partnership with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Philippine Foremost Milling Corp. (PFMC) for a pantry training program in the male dormitory.
TIIC will provide training, PFMC will supply ingredients, and BJMP will select participants.
Treñas revealed that out of 30 previous male dormitory trainees, only 10 remain in custody.
The city is tracing the 20 others to explore post-release support and job placement.
PFMC has also pledged to help graduates secure employment after release.
The program’s reach extends beyond technical skills. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has joined in to deliver entrepreneurship and financial literacy sessions.
On August 1, Negosyo Centers from Oton and Zarraga trained around 100 PDLs on managing small businesses and personal finances.
“Our goal is to make them self-reliant, both inside and outside the facility,” DTI said in a statement.
The BJMP’s male dormitory currently houses 1,604 PDLs — a population the city hopes to steadily reach through expanded training, aiming not just to rehabilitate but to reintegrate them successfully into the community.IMT
