The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has reaffirmed its commitment to humane safekeeping and professional jail management in Negros Island Region (NIR) during the official visit of its chief in Negros Occidental on Tuesday, February 17.
In an interview yesterday, chief Inspector Juniven Rey Umadhay, BJMP-NIR spokesperson, said BJMP chief Jail Director Ruel Rivera conducted inspections at the Negros Occidental District Jail (NODJ) Male Dormitory and Female Dormitory in Bago City and at the Metro Bacolod District Jail Male Annex and Female Dormitory in Bacolod City.
“The visit outlines two very important things. First, the assurance to the persons deprived of liberty [PDLs] that the BJMP will continue to listen to their concerns and the recognition and appreciation to the dedication and commitment of jail officers,” Umadhay said.
At the NODJ, Rivera was joined by BJMP-NIR Director Jail Chief Supt. Brendan Fulgencio during a dialogue with the PDLs and a conference with the jail personnel.
He extended the commendation of Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla to BJMP units nationwide for maintaining zero incidents of human rights violations involving PDLs.
“Safeguarding the constitutional rights of PDL remains a core institutional mandate of the BJMP,” Rivera said. “Regardless of affiliation, all PDLs are accorded equal protection and respect under the law.”
In line with this, Rivera acknowledged the proactive and lawful response of the BJMP management through Fulgencio and the NODJ-MD warden Supt. Crysrel Awe in addressing concerns raised by the PDLs who petitioned for the removal of Awe.
“The BJMP chief expressed appreciation for the transparent and rights-based approach adopted by the regional and local leadership in resolving issues while maintaining order and discipline within the facility,” Umadhay said.
Rivera presented updates on the increase in prisoner’s subsistence allowance from P70 to P100 per day, prisoner medical support expense allocation, strengthening of partnerships with local hospitals as a strategic recourse for specialized medical needs, and separate and dedicated budget provision for hygiene kits to further improve sanitation and health conditions among the PDLs.
On improvements in personnel welfare, the BJMP chief discussed the increase in salaries of uniformed personnel and the additional personnel subsistence allowance of P200 per day, with corresponding adjustments in net take-home pay, among others. (PNA)