DILG Chief Lauds BJMP, DILG Cooperation To Decongest Jails

Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has praised the efforts of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to decongest jail facilities nationwide.

Sarmiento made the remark after Jail Chief Supt. Deogracias Tapayan delivered his accomplishment report for his first 100 days.

Tapayan who has been serving the BJMP in his capacity as officer-in-charge has sought the cooperation of the local government units to construct more jail facilities to relieve congestion of inmates.

Through the DILG, BJMP and local government partnership, a new Dumangas District Jail in Iloilo was built on a 2,000 square meter lot donated by the Local Government of Dumangas. The construction of the new district jail cost Php 4 million.

In his first 100 days report, Tapayan said two other jail facilities were set to be constructed this year, a Php 6-million Imelda District Jail in Zamboanga Sibugay in Region 9 and a Php 178-million high-rise facility that will house more than 3,000 inmates from Cebu City Jail.

Other lot donations that were received by BJMP include donations from local government units of Teresa, Rizal; San Juan, Batangas; Maramag, Bukidnon; Gapan, Nueva Ecija; Cebu City; and Cotabato City.

At the same time, Sarmiento shared Tapayan’s view that jail congestion should not only be the concern of BJMP but also of the national and local government units.

“The national government down to the local government are not only supportive of the BJMP’s efforts in constructing more jails as an answer to congestion but have shown co-ownership of the problem of overcrowding by extending lot and financial donations to construct jail buildings and facilities,” Tapayan said.

Sarmiento is confident that with the construction of new jail buildings and facilities the BJMP could zero in on its objective and make all jails in the country “drug free.” (PNA) RMA/CLTC