Surprise inspection yields no drugs

By: Carmela Reyes-Estrope February 03, 2019

CITY OF MALOLOS — More than 100 operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on
Sunday morning carried out a surprise inspection at the Bulacan Provincial Jail.

Julie Lucero, chief of PDEA in Bulacan, said they did not find illegal drugs in the jail, which is composed of
30 male calls and eight female cells, during the inspection.

Chito Bersaluna, Bulacan police director, said the 4-hour search only yielded metal spoons, forks, ball
pens, shavers, improvised baton, cigarette packs, lighters, and a set of tattoo kit.

Warden Fernando Villanueva said they are implementing tighter policies to regulate entry of visitors and
prevent entry of illegal drugs in the inmates’ cells.

About 60 to 85 percent of almost 5,000 detainees there are facing illegal drugs charges, Bersaluna said.

Reference:

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1080986/surprise-inspection-yields-no-drugs-in-bulacan-provincial-jail

Bulacan Provincial Jail overcrowded by 575.57%, inmate daily food budget less than P40

by Allan Yves Briones Sep 6, 2019 @ 8:30

The Commission on Audit (COA) flagged the provincial government of Bulacan for failing to comply with
the minimum standard rules for treating prisoners, with congestion at the rate of 575.57 percent.

According to the 2018 annual audit report, the Bulacan Provincial Jail (BPJ) which has 30 cell rooms meant
for 700 prisoners has been holding over a total jail population of P4,729 prisoners resulting in congestion
and clogging.

State auditors noted that congestion has led to other problems particularly the inadequacy of the budget
meant to provide food to Bulacan’s inmates.

Audit records show that since 2016, jail population has risen from 3,391 to 4,729, while overall budget for
food has increased at a slower rate: 12 percent against 39 percent.

In 2018, Bulacan awarded the food supply contract to Aurora F. Sumulong Eatery for P49.75 million which
translates to an “astonishingly low” daily meal rate of P39.90 compared to the P60 per day provided by
the Bureau of Jail Management Penology.

“Definitely, the amount of P39.90 will not be able to meet (United Nations and Food and Nutrition
Research Institute criteria) considering the low budget provided for each inmate,” the report read.

COA said that these deficiencies were violations of the United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the
Treatment of Prisoners and Republic Act No. 10575 or the Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013, the latter
requiring that “the safekeeping of inmates shall include decent provision of quarters, food, water and
clothing in compliance with established United Nations standards.”
State auditors attributed the congestion to the increase of crimes committed in violation of Republic Act
9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

“As of December 31, 2018, verification showed that (drug-related crimes) totaled to 3,484 which is 73.67
percent of the 4,729 total crimes committed,” COA said.

The state auditing agency called on Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando, who succeeded now-vice
governor Wilhemino Sy-Alvarado, to fast-track the construction of a new building or additional jail cells,
or the increase of the budget for food allowance to a “reasonable amount.”

Bulacan officials, in the report, said that initial preparations for a prison transfer is underway.

Reference:

https://centralluzon.politics.com.ph/bulacan-provincial-jail-overcrowded-by-575-57-inmate-daily-food-
budget-less-than-p40/

258 Bulacan inmates to cast votes inside jail

By Manny Balbin, May 12, 2019

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan -- A total of 258 inmates of Bulacan provincial jail will cast their votes in
Monday's local and national mid-term elections.

Retired police colonel Fernando Villanueva, provincial jail warden, said on Sunday the voting of the
inmates will be conducted inside the provincial jail at the Capitol Compound here.

“The voting of the inmates was scheduled from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. and they are only entitled to vote for
senators and party-list groups," he said in an interview with PNA.

Villanueva said they had conducted an orientation for the eligible voters of the City of Malolos only and
trained jail personnel who will serve as special electoral board.

“We have established four clustered precincts with 12 Commission of Elections (Comelec) personnel
where the manual voting of the inmates will be conducted,” he added.

The official further said they opted to conduct the voting for the inmates inside the jail due to the big
number of voters, and the lack of security personnel that will escort them to the polling centers and
precincts.

Based on the approved procedure, he said no vote counting machine (VCM) will be brought to the jail.

Villanueva said Comelec support personnel will bring the official ballots to the clustered precincts inside
the jail.

After the voting, Villanueva added the filled-out ballots will be brought back to the polling precincts for
feeding into the VCM.
He said the provincial government and the BJMP have assigned personnel to secure the clustered
precincts inside the jail and the movement of the poll support staff handling the ballots. (PNA)

Reference:

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1069575
 P3-B allotted for construction of 60 new jail facilities

July 14, 2019, 3:53 pm

MANILA -- To address overcrowding in jails, President Rodrigo Duterte bared that the government will be
shelling out around PHP3 billion for the construction of 60 new jail facilities.

“I am glad to report that the government has allotted PHP3 billion for the construction of 60 new jail
facilities to reduce jail congestion rate,” Duterte said during the 28th anniversary of the Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology (BJMP) in Camp Aguinaldo on Friday (July 12) night.

Duterte said prisoners are still human beings and deserved to be given a place good enough to live in.

“They are human beings and we are supposed to give them habitable prison. Kaya lang inuuna natin (But
we are prioritizing) the other priorities, sometimes they are really forgotten,” Duterte said.

Duterte lauded the BJMP for cooperating with Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs, particularly in the
confiscation of contraband.

“I am pleased that your conduct of the almost 30,000 Greyhound Operations from January to...2019 has
led to the confiscation of the illegal drugs, weapons, and almost PHP2 million worth of cash and other
contraband from jail cells,” Duterte said.

The BJMP has also conducted more than 13,000 surprise drug testing, which led to the dismissal of drug
users within the organization.

Meanwhile, Duterte reminded BJMP personnel to continue to upholding the rule of law and protecting
democratic institutions.

“May you continue to embody your institution’s vital role of contributing to the transformation and
reformation of society. It is my hope that this milestone will further inspire you to harness your
professional skills and expertise to promote the common good,” Duterte said.

Reports showed that jails have become increasingly more packed since the launch of Duterte’s drug war
in 2016.

As of March 12, the BJMP accommodates 138, 881 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) although the 476 jail
facilities nationwide are supposed to cater to almost 30,000 only. (PNA)

Reference:

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1074907

2019 budget of BJMP increased to address jail congestion

To address pressing issues on high congestion rates of jails nationwide, the budget of the Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology (BJMP) for 2019 has been increased to PhP18.9 billion from its 2018 cash-
based equivalent of PhP14.5 billion
The BJMP reported that the congestion rate in existing jails in the country has hit almost 600 percent in
April 2018. The city jails, for instance, suffer from a 701 percent congestion rate, which may lead to several
more problems, among them the spread of infectious diseases.

“The increased budget of the BJMP will help them manage jail congestion which affects health and
sanitation problems,” Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said.

For 2019, the BJMP will also focus on safe and humane management of all district, city, and municipal
jails.

Some PhP16.9 billion is set aside for its Inmate’s Safekeeping and Development Program, which covers
the custody, safekeeping, and rehabilitation of inmates awaiting investigation, trial and/or transfer to the
national penitentiary. Of this amount, PhP2.9 billion is set aside for the construction of additional jail
buildings to decongest the existing facilities.

Some PhP3.9 billion is also allotted for the daily subsistence of inmates; while another PhP666 million is
set aside for the medicine allowance of the assumed 182,556 number of inmates to address health
concerns. (Department of Budget and Management)

Reference:

https://www.dbm.gov.ph/index.php/secretary-s-corner/press-releases/list-of-press-releases/1237-
2019-budget-of-bjmp-increased-to-address-jail-congestion

Duterte vows ‘habitable prison’; P3 B earmarked for 60 new jails

By Genalyn Kabiling, July 13, 2019

The government has set aside P3 billion to build several jail facilities to ease prison congestion in the
country, President Duterte announced Friday.

The President affirmed the government’s resolve to provide “habitable prison” for inmates as he joined
the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in celebrating its 28th anniversary at Camp
Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

“I am glad to report that the government has allotted P3 billion for the construction of 60 new jail facilities
to reduce jail congestion rate,” he said.

“Always keep in mind that that this administration will continue to pursue measures that will empower
you in addressing the perennial problem that you face, particularly jail congestion. Baka next year ha baka
subukan [Maybe I’ll try it next year],” he added.

The President recognized the BJMP’s commitment to bring positive change among persons deprived of
liberty through infrastructure improvements and the reformative programs.
But Duterte admitted there is a “bedlam” in the country’s prison system due to the huge number of people
arrested by authorities. He said he “grieves’ for the innocent persons arrested but he believes most
inmates are guilty.

“As a prosecutor, in a scale of 1 to 10, ‘pag may nagkamali tayo diyan, mga isa, dalawa, most of them are
really — ‘yung mga may kasalanan [If we probably made one or two mistakes but most of them are really
at fault],” he said.

“I can only pray for the innocent. But the others, they can rot in hell for all time,” he added.

Duterte however acknowledged that the government must ensure a “habitable prison” to inmates, saying
they are still “human beings.”

“We are supposed to give them habitable prison. Kaya lang inuuna natin [But we are giving attention to]
the other of priorities, sometimes they are really forgotten,” he said.

Towards the end of his speech, the President has urged the BJMP to continue to lift the welfare of the
persons deprived of liberty.

“May [you] continue to embody your institution’s vital role of contributing to the transformation and
reformation of society. It is my hope that this milestone will further inspire you to harness your
professional skills and expertise to promote the common good,” he said.

Reference:

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/07/12/duterte-vows-habitable-prison-p3-b-earmarked-for-60-new-jails/
 Provincial Civil Security and Jail Management Office

MISYON

• Mapaunlad at maipatupad ang epektibong pamamahala ng piitan at seguridad ng Pamahalaang

BISYON

• Isang departamento na dagliang tutugon sa isang epektibong sistema ng pamamahala ng

FUNCTIONS

• Develops and enforces an effective system of providing jail and security services that insures the
protection and preservation of life, government properties and all other assets
• Develops and implements an efficient, effective and responsive deployment of resources in
providing jail and security services
• Develops and implements a system for the provision of custodial and rehabilitative services for all
inmates including support services necessary for the effective and efficient delivery of such
services
• Coordinates and links with government and non-government agencies and offices on matters
related to effective delivery of jail and security services

CONTACT INFORMATION

Department Head

PSSupt. Fernando S. Villanueva (Ret.)

Mailing Address:

Provincial Civil Security and Jail Management Office

2nd floor, Provincial Capitol Building,

Malolos City, Bulacan, Philippines 3000

Tel: +63(44) 796-3590

Email: [email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]