07 August 2025–The University’s School of International Hospitality and Sustainable Tourism Management (SIHSTM) officially kicked off its five-day livelihood training program for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Mountain Province District Jail today.
The initiative, titled “Adopt a Dorm, Build a Future: Livelihood Training Behind Bars,” is an extension project under SIHSTM’s Hospitality Extension Livelihood Program (HELP). It aims to equip PDLs with practical hospitality and culinary skills that can support their rehabilitation and future reintegration into society.
On Day 1 of the training, 12 PDLs participated in a hands-on workshop on muffin baking. Faculty members from SIHSTM guided participants through the basics of baking, including ingredient preparation, mixing techniques, and kitchen safety. The activity served as both a skill-building exercise and a confidence booster for the participants, many of whom are engaging in this kind of training for the first time.
University President Dr. Edgar G. Cue underscored the value of the program, calling it a meaningful step toward empowerment–“giving our PDLs the opportunity to build something for themselves with their own hands and skilss,” he said. “MPSU has always believed that education extends beyond classrooms, textbooks, and exams. It’s about changing lives,” he added.
The five-day training will continue with additional workshops on culinary preparations and other hospitality-related skills.
MPSU hopes that the experience will not only provide the participants with new competencies, but also instill a renewed sense of self-worth and purpose.#
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