ILOILO CITY — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) will transfer its female dormitory to Barangay Nanga, Pototan to accommodate its increasing number of inmates, which stands at 223.
The female dormitory of the Iloilo City District Jail ideally can accommodate only 35 inmates. It has five cells, which can cater up to a maximum of 10 inmates per cell.
However, due to the lack of lot donor in the city, Jail Warden Chief Inspector Imee S. Lopera, said that they may opt to transfer in the BJMP property in Pototan, Iloilo.
She said the fund of around PHP35 million is already there and they are afraid it will just revert to the general fund when left unutilized.
With the congested facility, inmates remitted in their jail are required to have a medical certificate to ensure that they are in good condition, Lopera said.
They also undergo tuberculosis screening for those suspected to have infections.
Visitors who are sick are not allowed to enter the facility and sick inmates are immediately isolated.
The Department of Health through the City Health Office also provides them with vitamins.
Lopera said that they hoped to transfer in Pototan middle of this year.
As of today, 204 or 91 percent of the inmates are facing charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. Five are bound for the national correctional and the rest are charged with crimes against property and persons.
Meantime, members of the local media here took time out from their busy schedule to share the spirit of Christmas with the inmates.
The annual gift-giving that started in 2001 happens every December. However, due to the limited time and resources of the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps, the activity was moved to January, said Runji Jamolo of the Radyo Pilipinas.
The gift consists of 50 pieces of mono block chairs, which inmates can use when they entertain visitors and when working on their various livelihood projects.
“We hope these gifts will bring some little comfort. Life is hard outside but it is harder here,” Jamolo said.
The chairs were acquired following a consultation with Lopera. It was bought through the generosity of SM City Iloilo.
Lopera said that the inmates have been treated to various parties by groups visiting the jail. She found the chairs a necessity for inmates since they only have limited facilities at the dormitory.
“You just don’t know how blessed we are to be remembered by you,” said Leda Layson, who spoke on behalf of the inmates during the turnover ceremony. (Perla Lena/PNA)
