BAGUIO CITY — Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Director Deogracias Tapayan on Thursday took pride in the clean record of the BJMP-Cordillera, saying he has high hopes the cops securing the prisons in the region will remain committed to their jobs.
“In order for us to clean our backyards, we ourselves must possess a clean slate. Value your efforts towards progressive personnel cleansing and build-up,” Tapayan said during the 27th anniversary celebration of BJMP-Cordillera on Wednesday evening.
“As reported, personnel of this region has been subjected to random drug testing and none was found positive for use of illegal drug,” he said.
Tapayan, however, reminded the BJMP personnel not to be complacent as he noted the realities in jails.
“Do not get involved,” he told them, reiterating President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement on the “war” against illegal drugs and corrupt practices in his latest State of the Nation Address (SONA) .
“I am assured that BJMP-CAR is doing its part and I have high hopes that it should stay that way,” Tapayan said, also lauding the organization’s accomplishments.
“I want to appreciate your accomplishments without dwelling on the long list of data and figures. I have read your report and I was overwhelmed. As your chief, I can never be more proud of what you have achieved,” he added.
As guest of honor and speaker at the organization’s anniversary celebration, Tapayan commended the officers and men of the BJMP-Cordillera led by Senior Supt. Edgar Bolcio for leading the region in its efforts and contributions to the jail bureau.
Tapayan also congratulated the regional awardees for living up to the challenges of jail services, praising the escort detainees, custodial tower guards, the gaters, and searchers.
“These tasks maybe ordinary and routinary that we often take them for granted, but these tasks largely contributed to the fulfillment of our mandate as an institution,” Tapayan said.
Tapayan said a budget of PHP32 million has been earmarked for the improvement of jails in the region for 2019. He said this could be used for the the construction of a jail building.
Tapayan added that some 10 new prisoners’ van will also be distributed regionwide within the year.
Also, the quota allocation for Jail Officer 1 had been increased to 2,000 from 1,000 to cover the manpower deficiency, he said.
He also announced that the second tranche of the increase in the basic pay of Senior Jail Officer 4 to Director will be released in 2019.
He also vowed an impartial promotion process for qualified personnel to fill up the 1,107 vacancies in the organization. (Primo Agatep/PNA)
