The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) vaccinated today (June 15) its more than 300 personnel in line with the government’s expanded COVID-19 inoculation program.
Dr. Ilba Maderazo, officer-in-charge of BJMP Health Services directorate, said the vaccination is timely considering that they are now admitting persons deprived of liberty (PDL) from the Philippines National Police (PNP).
At least 58.08% or 9,791 of the 16,857 BJMP personnel have been vaccinated against COVID-19. At least 1.39% or 1,631 elderly and those with comorbidities from the total 117,337 PDLs have also taken the jab.
“Prison health is public health. Hindi naman po naputol ang paglilitis sa kanilang kaso, so pwede silang lumabas anytime. Kung sila ay may sakit na lumabas, dadalin din nila sakit sa labas, so we must help them,” Maderazo said.
Latest data show that 2,224 jail personnel and 3,434 inmates have been infected with COVID-19. The BJMP appealed to local government units to allocate vaccines to senior citizens and those with comorbidities who are locked up in jail.
Visitations remain prohibited in Philippine jails, but the BJMP assured to add more computers for virtual communication between inmates and their families. – Report from Cleizl Pardilla/AG-rir
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