Six buildings to rise in prison compound

To decongest the Cebu City jail, the Bureau of Jail Management Penology (BJMP) will construct six buildings at the existing jail compound.

In a letter dated March 23, BJMP-7 Director Senior Supt. Dennis Rocamora informed Mayor Tomas Osmeña and City Councilor David Tumulak that the national government has allocated P101 million for the construction of additional facilities.

“These projects will surely ease the congestion of our inmates and will provide better opportunities for rehabilitation once completed,” Rocamora said.

He said the national government has allocated over P329 million for the decongestion program of the jail facilities in the region.

Five units of four-story jail buildings will be constructed at the City jail’s male dormitory and one jail building for the female dormitory.

Rocamora said the national government has already started the procurement process and some of the projects are already posted for public bidding.

Tumulak, in a press conference, said the city jail has over 4,100 inmates. It was designed for just about a thousand prisoners.

“So, makatabang ni sa pagdecongest sa inmates dinha sa BBRC (Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center). Kita sa city government, pasalamat ta sa national government nga nagallocate og fund para sa city jail kay ang Cebu City jail, third ni siya sa most thickly populated jails all over the Philippines,” Tumulak said.

He said Quezon City is the most populated city jail in the country. Manila City came in second, while Cebu City is at third.

Initially, the BJMP sent a proposal asking for a property from the city government for the project site of the proposed jail buildings.

But Tumulak said it involves large amount of money and the first option is the area where the Inayawan Landfill is located.

Also, he said the city government plans to request the Philippine National Police to augment the security in the city jail.

Tumulak divulged that there are only 75 personnel at the city jail that are on shifting schedule in securing the facility.

“Can you imagine, 75 jail guards unya ilang gibantayan is 4,000. Shifting pa gyod na s i l a . M a o n g m a n g a y o t a’g assistance sa police,” he said.

Tumulak said he has discussed the matter with the leaders of the Cebu City Police Office but the police force will ask from the headquarters on the legality of the request.

He also said the city government will request the BJMP to separate the inmates based on their cases, as part of the rehabilitation process.