INTERIOR Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos wants local government units (LGUs) to donate or lend lots to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology so more detention facilities can be constructed to solve congestion problems in the country’s jails.
Abalos said the jail congestion rate in BJMP facilities stands at 387 percent as of June this year, though he said this has already “dropped significantly” from 612 percent as of 2017.
BJMP spokesman Supt. Xavier Solda said the BJMP has a total of 131,193 persons deprived of liberty or inmates confined at 475 district, city and municipal jails nationwide as of June 30.
“The BJMP has allocated P6.7 billion to construct, improve and repair jail facilities,” said Abalos, adding the bureau is coordinating with LGUs for lots where new jails can be constructed.
Abalos said the DILG is exerting efforts to ensure inmates are in a “very humane environment.” He said he will focus on addressing the congestion problem in BJMP facilities.
“We will be asking, requesting the LGUs to possibly donate their lots so we can construct facilities there,” said Abalos.
If the LGUs are not amenable to donating lots, Abalos said they should consider lending the property to the BJMP.
“After a certain time, you’ll get back the property. Thirty, 25 years, that’s already okay. At least, we can construct what should be constructed,” said Abalos.
BJMP chief Director Allan Iral said: “We have a 387 percent congestion rate…We have lowered it from a high of 612 percent to only 387 percent only.”
Iral assured the public the bureau is “doing everything” to end the congestion problem in their facilities.
“First of all, we need lot donations from our LGUs. Secretary Benhur can help here being a former local chief executive to convince LGUs to donate lots to the BJMP so we can build jails there,” said Iral.
Iral said the bureau will also coordinate with courts to fast-track the hearing of the cases against the PDLs. “In that way, we can reduce the congestion rate in BJMP jails,” he said.
