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| BJMP regional office personnel along with a K9 dog inspect all the belongings of the female PDLs at the BJMP Laoag during the surprise “Operation Greyhound” on May 20, 2019. PDEA also conducted a surprise and random drug test for PDLs and jail personnel. (Doms dela Cruz) |
By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Laoag City—Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Assistant Regional Director for Administration (ARDA) superintendent Florante Nisperos announced that Laoag City Jail remains ‘’drug free” after the recently concluded surprise operation greyhound on May 20, 2019.
Mr. Nisperos said both the persons deprived of liberty (PDL) and jail personnel underwent surprise random drug tests.
“In fact, very sanitized itiLaoag City Jail in terms of illegal drugs ken contrabands,” Mr. Nisperos said.
BJMP Laoag J/Chief Insp. Herminigildo Rivera was thankful for the result and findings of the surprise “Operation Greyhound”.
The recent operation featured two K9 dogs that sniffed for illegal drugs.
He stressed that the result means PDLs and jail personnel follow BJMP rules and regulations, especially those for illegal drugs and contrabands.
Mr. Rivera added that the quarterly operation’s negative result has stretched the Laoag jail’s “drug-free” condition for a long time now.
Proposed jail expansion
Meanwhile, Mr. Nisperos confirmed the proposed jail expansion for the Laoag City Jail has already reached the BJMP central office.
But according to him, there is no funding for the said project yet; however, he disclosed that the said project has been considered to be one of the major priorities as the PDL population in the said jail continues to increase.
Mr. Nisperos, clarified though that the Laoag jail can still manage its total jail, which he said, is not yet alarming compared with the other jails in the region.
He cited the Dagupan City and Urdaneta District Jails to have the highest number of PDLs in Region I, which, he said do not commensurate to their facilities.
He added that the Laoag and Batac City jails are still manageable.
Mr. Rivera proposed the expansion long time ago due to limited jail room facilities due to the increasing number of inmates.
Outgoing Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Farinas welcomed the proposal but they were still looking for the best location for the transfer of the city jail as it is currently housed in a very limited space.
The city government will provide the lot for the project as its counterpart, as the BJMP will shoulder the building construction.
As of press time, Mr. Rivera said that city jail has a jail population of 251 PDLs as of May 20, 2019.
Meal allowance
Also, as of press time, Mr. Nisperos announced that PDL meal allowance remains at P60 per day.
He explained that the budget depends on the BJMP’s portion from the General Appropriations Act (GAA). He is still not sure whether there will be an increase for the said allowance this year.
Recommended meals depend on the availability of fund that would cater to the number of PDLs, which is also a discretion of the warden on the type of food to be served.
Health and sanitation
With effect of the summer season, Mr. Nisperos learned that no PDLs at the Laoag City Jail has contacted major illnesses brought out by the changing weather condition.
“Iti kapintasan na ditoycity jail ket adu iti danum ta isut importante tapnu malamiisan dagitiPDLs tayo not even skin diseases ket awan,” Mr. Nisperos said.
Airconditioned conjugal rooms
Mr. Rivera also announced that the city jail will soon have its new airconditioned conjugal rooms.
The five conjugal rooms are intended for married PDLs who also need personal satisfaction while inside the jail.
It was learned that said rooms are still under construction along with their own comport rooms.