ILOILO – To turn incarceration into an opportunity for redemption, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. announced plans to convert the Iloilo District Jail in Barangay Nanga, Pototan town into a full-fledged skills training and livelihood center in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Defensor said the initiative aims to make the provincial jail a “center for second chances” by equipping Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) with technical and livelihood skills to prepare them for reintegration into society and reduce recidivism.
“We want to transform the Iloilo District Jail into a training center. This is to prepare our detention prisoners for reintegration in the future. Our long-term plan there is to put up a building for a TESDA training center,” Defensor said.
The provincial government, through its Public Employment Service Office (PESO), will coordinate the rollout of TESDA-accredited programs covering two major areas: livelihood skills — to help PDLs find employment upon release — and entrepreneurship training — to instill business acumen and self-sufficiency.
Aquaculture and Livelihood Integration
Aside from technical training, Defensor revealed plans to establish a hatchery facility within the jail compound to provide hands-on experience in aquaculture.
The hatchery will be linked with the province’s Agri-Aqua Research and Technology (ART) Center, located adjacent to the jail, creating a practical and sustainable livelihood model for inmates.
From Confinement to Capability
The Iloilo District Jail — formerly the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center — has evolved from a traditional detention site to one emphasizing rehabilitation. Initially managed by the Iloilo provincial government, it is now under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
Each year, the provincial government holds a gift-giving activity at the facility for over 1,000 inmates, underscoring the governor’s continuing support for PDL welfare.
Defensor said the jail-to-training center initiative aligns with the National Correctional Consciousness Week, which highlights humane reforms and rehabilitation in the country’s penal system.
He emphasized the need for “a fair and humane criminal justice system” that focuses on giving inmates a chance to rebuild their lives.
Once completed, the project will mark a significant shift in Iloilo’s correctional approach — from punishment to empowerment — proving that rehabilitation can thrive even behind bars./PN