By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/ PNA
MANILA — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) will continue implementing its various flagship programs and support the government’s war on illegal drugs, crime, corruption and violent extremism.
This was stressed by Chief Supt. Allan S. Iral, who was named BJMP officer-in-charge, replacing BJMP chief Director Deogracias Tapayan who reached the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Wednesday.
During the turn-over ceremony at the BJMP headquarters in Quezon City, Iral stressed the importance of continuity of the bureau’s ongoing programs as enumerated in the agency’s long-term development plan.
The first of these programs, Iral said, is providing voter’s registration to 45,500 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
Iral served as the Regional Director of the BJMP’s Regional Offices in Davao and Central Visayas. He promoted the safekeeping and welfare of PDLs while empowering the jail officers he managed, resulting in the selection of BJMP Davao as Region of the Year in 2015 and led to his recognition as the Best Regional Director of the Bureau in 2016.
Iral was awarded as Junior Officer of the Year in 1996 and Staff Officer of the Year in 2009. As the warden of Manila City Jail and Davao City Jail, he had zero history of escape and jail disturbance.
Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año welcomed the promotion of Iral as the new OIC of the BJMP, as well as six other officials as new Jail Chief Superintendents.
“I have come to know Chief Allan Iral as a man of competence… This is a grand responsibility not everyone can carry, but with your able hands and sharp mind, I am sure that the Bureau and those you oversee will thrive under your leadership,” Año said.
“We thank Chief Tapayan’s faithful service to the Bureau and we’re sure that he will find ways to serve the country in his private capacity or in government,” he added.
Aside from the promotion of Iral, six jail officials were promoted as the jail bureau’s chief superintendents, namely:
Jail Chief Supt. Rinco Montaus, Director for Comptrollership
Jail Chief Supt. Clement Laboy, Director for Intelligence
Jail Chief Supt. Louie Muñoz, Regional Director BJMP Region 10
Jail Chief Supt. Arnel Gongona, Regional Director BJMP Region 5
Jail Chief Supt. Amelia Rayandanan, Regional Director BJMP Region 11
Jail Chief Supt. Rebecca Pawid, Regional Director Region 1
While their promotion comes with additional privileges, Año reminded them to focus instead on their duties and responsibilities.
“You will now be occupying sensitive positions that will define the future of the Bureau. Be sure to utilize and share the knowledge, skills and training you learned from your past experiences to push the Bureau to greater heights,” Año added.
