Decongesting jails
ADMITTEDLY, taking care of the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) now crowding the country’s jails is no joke considering the government’s limited financial resources.
Note that jail congestion has been a long-time problem in this impoverished but natural resources-rich Southeast Asian nation of more than 110 million people.
In fact, government authorities are spending a lot of Juan dela Cruz’s hard-earned money just to feed these thousands of PDLs three times a day throughout the year.
That’s why we commend President Marcos for ordering the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to expedite the release of qualified PDLs in the country.
And last year, a total of 103,000 PDLs were released under the BJMP’s “Zero Overstaying Policy,” drawing cheers and applause from various sectors of society.
Of the number, 77,960 PDLs were released through paralegal services, while 25,333 PDLs were freed via other paralegal modes, according to BJMP spokesman Chief Inspector Jayrex Bustinera.
BJMP chief Jail Director Allan Iral, on the other hand, said the agency fully supports President Marcos’ order to expedite the release of all qualified persons deprived of liberty.
For his part, Secretary Benhur Abalos of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) expects the BJMP to continue upholding the welfare of PDLs in facilities under its supervision.
We agree with the DILG top honcho that “it is just and proper for us to continue exerting efforts to address the concern.”
Oo nga naman!
