BJMP females dominate men in major awards
FEMALE officers of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) bested their male counterparts as they bagged five of eight major awards covering the year 2023.
Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. and Jail Director Ruel Rivera led the awarding rites recognizing the women and other personnel for their exemplary job during the 32nd Anniversary of the BJMP held at the Multi-Purpose Hall in Camp Crame last Saturday.
Named Best Regional Director of the year was Chief Supt. Rebecca Pawid of Region III while the Best District Jail Warden of the Year award belongs to Chief Insp. Jerry Grace Danao (Panabo City District Jail in Region XI).
Chief Insp. Irene Gaspar of the Dasmarinas City Jail bagged the Best City Jail Warden award; Chief Insp. Jeza Mae Sara Sanchez was named best staff officer of the year and Sr. Insp. Dawn Buaquen as the best junior officer of the year.
Their male counterparts who were also recognized included Chief Supt. Felixberto Jagorin Jr. as best senior officer of the year; Supt. John Conrad Marcelino Basilio as best provincial administrator of the year and Chief Insp. Cliff Richard Torres as best municipal jail warden of the year.
Apart from recognizing the bureau’s best performers, Rivera also discussed during the event the BJMP’s J.A.I.L PLAN 2040 which the agency is now focusing on, most particularly in the areas of resource management, learning and growth, process excellence and community.
Among other concerns of the newly designated Jail Director were the budget for infrastructure projects, the purchase of vehicles, firearms to include bullet proof vest, non-lethal pepper ball launchers, anti-riot equipment among others.
Rivera said that overcrowding is still on top of his leadership’s concern although the bureau has already achieved to reduce congestion rate from 387 percent in 2022 to 358 percdent this year.
The BJMP chief also announced that the Reformatory Center in Malaybalay City District Jail is already in operation along with the Argao District Jail in Region VII while the construction of the Reformatory Center at the San Pablo City District Jail is around 35% done.
Most importantly, Rivera said he sees to it that the target of a drug-free facility will be among the priorities in the field under the government’s Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) project.
