POLICY GUIDELINES, PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION OF “TAGAPANGALAGA KO, GURO KO”, BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY 

Education is one of the most important aspects in life. Through the Alternative
learning System (ALS) program of the Department of Education (DepEd), it has made
possible for inmates to continue their education even behind bars, and as well as
encourage some inmates to learn how to read and write during their period of
incarceration. With the aid of an improved Literacy Program in the jail, inmates are able
to prepare for their future.
The study was conducted in the BJMP-National Capital Region (NCR) with 108
respondents as population size. Using the Slovin’s formula, a sample size of 83 actual
respondents was obtained to administer the self-formulated instrument in order to
gather the necessary information directed towards a solution and necessary
recommendations. Respondents were categorized into two (2) groups, to wit, (a) BJMP
Personnel; and (b) Instructional Managers. The questionnaire was divided into three
parts: (a) personal information of the respondents, (b) Assessment of the respondents
on the salient provisions of the policy guidelines in the implementation of the ALS
program of the Bureau, and (c) Assessment of the respondents on the proposed
changes on the said policy relative to the variables used in the study, such as:
Coordinating Instructions, Selection of Instructors and Participants, and Funds for the
BJMP Literacy Program.
Both groups of respondents have assessed the policy guidelines on the program
implementation of “Tagapangalaga ko, Guro ko” of the Bureau. All indicators were
verbally interpreted as highly relevant from the viewpoint of conducting the ALS
program in jails in the NCR. The proposed changes to the salient provision of the said
policy guidelines were regarded by the respondents as well as Highly Recommended. It
ideally establishes a program which will endeavor and strengthen the “Tagapangalaga
ko, Guro ko” program of the Jail Bureau. The assessments of the respondents clearly
emphasized the importance of continuity in the implementation of the program such as:
ALS training, implementation, and skill enhancements to furnish an ideal educational
formation for inmates, Furthermore, the proposed changes showed greater concern for

the establishments of classroom and facilities were said program were usually
conducted.
Based on the findings of the study, the respondents assessed the three (3)
variables on the policy guidelines in the program implementation “Tagapangalaga ko,
Guro ko” of the Bureau as Highly Relevant, except for indicator no. 1 on Selection of
Program Instructors and Participants regarded as Relevant. The assessment on Funds
for BJMP Literacy Program acquired the highest value of average weighted mean
among the other variables, with the emphasis of providing financial assistance in the
implementation of the program. As such, the preference of aiding financial constraint for
the program shall be considered indispensable in the policy guidelines. Although, the
different indicators from the different variables indicated different rating scale between
4.20 – 5.00; however, no ratings were considered below the rating scale which verbally
interpreted as Highly Recommended. These proposed changes may ideally strengthen
and enhance the existing Literacy program of the Jail Bureau specifically on policy
guidelines referring to Coordinating Instructions, Selection of Instructors, and
participants, and Funds for BJMP Literacy Program. Furthermore, the proposed policy
guidelines provided the opportunity for inmates to continue their studies and build a kind
of character acceptable and commensurate to the society.
Hence, the researcher hereby recommended, based on the findings and
conclusions, for the Officer-In-Charge of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
(BJMP) to approve the proposed changes on the policy guidelines in the program
implementation of “Tagapangalaga ko, Guro ko”, an ALS program of the Jail Bureau
which shall strengthen and enhance the BJMP Literacy Program, Also the National and
Regional “Tagapangalaga ko, Guro ko” center and Unit, the implementors which include
the Jail Personnel and Instructional Managers must correspond with the monthly
submission of after activity report to its Regional Office which shall form part of the
accomplishment reports of the jail and regional office.
In the same way. The corresponding number of licensed teachers in the existing
policy shall be altered or removed since the specific number mentioned is no longer
updated as to the current database of the Jail Bureau. The jail personnel and
instructional managers engaged in the program, or even those who are willing to handle
the program, must undergo a mandatory teaching process. Thus, regular trainings and
seminars will improve teaching methodology and skills. The policy guidelines must
invoke an express provision of Funds to be included in the annual budget of the BJMP
for the procurement of supplies, allowance/stipend, and other expenses needed for the
implementation of the program. As such, the implementors must also be provided
health/life insurance, trainings concerning their safety and security (martial arts and
defensive tactical trainings, etc.). And finally, a Memorandum of Understanding or
Agreement between the JMP and Bureau of ALS must be established.