The Project Bayan organized by Central Philippines State University (CPSU) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Binalbagan District Jail, culminated successfully last September 5, 2025, as the PDLs received certificates for completing the intervention sessions.

 Pre-tests and post-tests result for various disciplines revealed that the PDLs attained significant learning gains despite circumstantial constraints as the elementary level learners gained most in foundational literacy and values formation and the secondary-level learners exhibited transformative improvements in language and communication.

 The elementary group’s post-test performance showed substantial gains across all domains, with Mathematics, Science and Nature, Reading and Vocabulary, Language and Communication, and Values and Social Skills all reflecting improved competencies—suggesting that the program effectively addressed literacy and values gaps while enhancing foundational knowledge.

 The high school groups post-test revealed notable improvements, particularly in Language and Communication, becoming the highest-performing domain; other areas, including Mathematics, Science and Technology, Social Studies and Values, and Life and Career Skills, also demonstrated steady growth—confirming the effectiveness of the intervention in addressing literacy gaps and balancing learning across subject areas.

 Project BAYAN or the Building Alternatives for Your Advancement and New Beginning was designed to enhance the literacy and numeracy skills of PDLs in support of the existing Alternative Learning System (ALS) program they are undertaking.

 Under the project, COTED faculty visited the BJMP Binalbagan District Jail to extend their pedagogical and content expertise through blended learning and tutorial activities among the PDLs who were divided into the elementary and high school learner groups.

 Improving the PDLs’ access to learning to develop their foundational skills and to reduce accumulated learning disparities which are essential in their potential reintegration in society is part of the project’s rationale.

 In his testimony, one PDL expressed, “Kanami gid kung gatuon kita gali sang bag-o nga kaalam nga aton gamiton sa adlaw-adlaw nga ginawi. Nagapasalamat akon sa Ginoo nga ginhatagan Niya kita sang maayong lawas kag bag-o nga kabuhi. Kabay pa nga sa paghatag Niya sa aton sini, buligan ta man ang aton kaugalingon nga magbag-o kag hindi ta pagpabay-an nga biskan ari ta di sa sulod. Ipalanggaon ta gid ang problema ta kay ang pag-antos ta di sa sulod may katapusan gid. Nagapasalamat kami gali kayna Ma’am sa pagtudlo sa amon—sa paghatag sa amon sang kaalam kag sa pagbag-o sa amon kaugalingon. Kay Warden and Sir Nacional, salamat gid sa pagtudlo sa amon sang inchakto nga pangginawi.”

[It is truly uplifting to learn new knowledge that we can use in our daily lives. I thank the LORD for giving us good health and new lives. I hope that as He gives us these, we’ll also help reform and don’t neglect ourselves. Let’s embrace our hardships because our suffering behind bars has an end. We thank Ma’am and our teachers for teaching us new things and in changing ourselves. To the Warden Armentia and Sir Nacional, I thank you for teaching us what is upright.]

 The Project Bayan is organized by the COTED under its PAGTATAP or Pedagogical Application and Guidance: A Teacher Advocacy through Tutorial Assistance Project Program was made possible by a signed Memorandum of Agreement between BJMP-Binalbagan and CPSU last April 14, 2025.

 “Our PDLs showed genuine interest in learning and perseverance in gaining new knowledge. Their commitment was evident throughout the sessions, and I hope they carry these lessons with them upon reintegration into society. Hopefully, CPSU and other higher education institutions will continue extending services to PDLs across Negros Island Region and the Philippines,” said JO1 RENZO C NACIONAL when asked about his observations of the PDLs and his recommendations about the project.

 JO1 NACIONAL, Jail Warden JSINSP GESELLE J ARMENTIA, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Grenny I. Jungco, and COTED Dean Dr. Merfe C. Hucalinas delivered their respective their inspirational messages for the PDLs—underscoring the impact of transformative education.

 When asked of his hopes for the beneficiaries, JO1 Nacional answered, ““As part of the Welfare Development Division of BJMP – Binalbagan District Jail, my dream is for our PDLs to embrace every developmental opportunity offered to them. While their access to education outside the bars was limited, I hope they’ll wholeheartedly engage in these programs during their stay and when they’re reintegrated back to the society.”

 COTED Extension Coordinator Ms. Joe Ann C. Golez also extended gratitude to the BJMP and the project beneficiaries and acknowledged JSINSP JOSEPH ANTHONY T BAYAN and JO1 ROLLEN PANALIGAN who helped in conceptualization of the project and in the formalization of the partnership.

 The activity ended on a high note with intermission numbers delivered by Ms. Andrea T. Maigi and one of the PDLs.