By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan / Philippine News Agency
More than 119,000 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in jail facilities managed by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) have been vaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Of the total, 95,813 are fully vaccinated.
“119,070 out of 125,589 were already vaccinated. Ibig sabihin po nito, ang aming total percentage of vaccinated PDLs ay umabot na ng (This means our total percentage of vaccinated PDLs has reached) 94.81 percent,” BJMP spokesperson, Chief Inspector Xavier Solda, said in a virtual press briefing on Sunday.
He said BJMP chief, Director Allan Iral, is optimistic that before the end of the year, all PDLs will be inoculated.
There is only one active case in BJMP facilities as per latest report and no new cases have been noted for eight days now.
Since March 2020, the BJMP has recorded 4,672 infections. Fifty of them died, all with comorbidities, according to Solda.
Solda said the strict observance of health protocols and the immediate creation of Ligtas COVID Centers to isolate PDLs with COVID-like symptoms helped BJMP manage its cases.
“Despite these significant improvements in our COVID-19 management in jails, we continue to strictly enforce health and security protocols in jails. We will continue to diligently guard our facilities and take care of our PDLs,” he said. (PNA)-rir
