Not too late to learn: DOST, BJMP bring S&T training to PDLs to rebuild lives in Dagupan

• The Department of Science and Technology Ilocos Region and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology – Dagupan City Jail Male Dormitory signs an agreement for the implementation of science and technology (S&T)-based training programs for Persons Deprived of Liberty. In photo are City Jail Warden JCINSP Lito S. Lam-Osen; Engr. Arnold C. Santos, Provincial Director of DOST Pangasinan, representing Regional Director Teresita A. Tabaog; and SJO2 Janice M. Wackisan of the Welfare and Development Section.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Ilocos Region has partnered with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Dagupan City Jail Male Dormitory to roll out science and technology (S&T)-based training programs aimed at helping Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) rebuild their lives through skills and innovation.

The initiative brings structured, technology-driven learning inside correctional facilities, with DOST providing technical expertise, trainers, and instructional materials. The program is designed to equip PDLs with practical competencies that can translate into livelihood opportunities once they reenter society.

Officials said the partnership expands access to science, technology, and innovation (STI) interventions within the jail system, positioning skills development as a critical step toward rehabilitation and long-term reintegration. By introducing capability-building programs anchored on applied technologies, the effort moves beyond traditional correctional approaches and focuses on enabling self-reliance.

Through the training, PDLs are expected to develop technical skills that can support employment or small-scale enterprise, helping reduce barriers often faced after release. The program reflects a broader push to make innovation more inclusive, extending its benefits to sectors that are often left behind in digital and economic transformation.

Present during the signing were DOST Pangasinan Provincial Director Engr. Arnold C. Santos, representing Regional Director Dr. Teresita A. Tabaog; Dagupan City Jail Warden JCINSP Lito S. Lam-Osen; and SJO2 Janice M. Wackisan of the BJMP Welfare and Development Section.

DOST Ilocos Region said the initiative aligns with its “OneDOST4U” framework, which focuses on delivering science-based solutions that support human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability.