Batangas rehab and jail projects

IBAAN, Batangas – The provincial government is planning to build, starting next month, new rehabilitation, detention and evacuation facilites here. Batangas Provincial Administrator Librado Dimaunahan said the priority projects of the provincial government will rise in a 3.5-hectare lot area in Barangay Malainin. It will have an initial budget of 150 million. Another 150 million will be earmarked for the projects next year. “Magpapagawa tayo ng detention center kasi yung detention natin na good for 300 (prisoners) ngayon ay 2,000, so hindi na makatao” he said. He added the old provincial jail in Barangay Cuta, Batangas City will be renovated and turned into a women’s correctional facility. Despite the clamor of some residents for a publuic hearing on the proposed projects, Dimaunahan explained that such is unnecessary, since public hearings are done when private sector investments are concerned. “Ang public hearing ay doon lamang sa mga private, halimbawa yung pagtatayo ng mga planta, gasolinahan. This is an institutional project of the government for the benefit of the people” said Dimaunahan. “Beyond anything, this is all public service, what we can assure them is that there will be livelihoods,” he added. The Sangguniang Bayan (SB) in Ibaan town has approved and passed a resolution sponsored by the Committee on Commerce, Trade and Industry Chairman Councilor Cesar Marasigan opposing the project last June. (Lyka Manalo)