SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique — The officer in charge of the Antique provincial jail warden is set to implement several reforms to professionalize its personnel.
Luciano Saiyo, a retired colonel at the Philippine Air Force and appointed by Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao on Thursday as officer in charge of the Antique provincial jail, said in a media interview Friday that he had a meeting with the 27 provincial guards and instructed them to always wear their uniforms as they report for duty.
“The provincial guards, by wearing their uniforms, would look really as decent professionals,” Saiyo said.
The conjugal rooms separated by blankets will be improved to give privacy during visitation.
“I will also ask the TESDA (Technical Education Skills and Development Authority) and other government agencies to provide skills trainings so that the inmates would become productive members of community once they are out,” Saiyo added.
He added that he will personally conduct surprise cell inspections to get rid of bladed weapons and illegal drugs inside the jail.
Saiyo said right now there are 396 inmates at the provincial jail of which four are staying in cottages inside the jail premises with their families.
“I had a meeting with them and I told them I would no longer let their families live with them starting Monday because also of the present danger,” Saiyo said.
He said the inmates’ families gave their agreement to return home and just visit their jailed family member.
The inmates were staying in bamboo cottages, instead of staying inside the cell, as reward for their good behavior.
Meanwhile, Governor Cadiao said such living conditions entailed expenses, particularly on electricity.
Likewise, it posed some risks on the inmates’ little children due to presence of other prisoners.
Saiyo said with the inmates families no longer allowed to stay at the bamboo cottages, they will be permitted to visit for two hours every Monday, Thursday and Friday. (Annabel Consuelo Petinglay/PNA)
