DILG chief lauds BJMP for release of over 74K PDLs

Transcript

00:00 The Lagusnilad underpass in Manila reopens after its six-month rehabilitation.

00:05 Meanwhile, the new emergency facility in Catanawan, Quezon has been inaugurated.

00:11 These stories and more in tonight's national news roundup.

00:17 Department of the Interior and Local Government or DILG Secretary Ben Herr Abalos lauded the

00:22 Bureau of Jail Management and Penology or BJMP for releasing over 74,000 persons deprived

00:30 of liberty as part of its measures to decongest jail facilities across the country.

00:36 The Secretary also praised BJMP for launching various programs such as providing legal and

00:42 paralegal services to lower congestion in prisons.

00:46 He also stressed instead of building more places of confinement, the BJMP should take

00:51 necessary measures for full reformation of PDLs to give them another chance in life.

00:58 Under the Jail Decongestion Program of the government, nearly 700 persons deprived of

01:04 liberty were transferred in various jail facilities such as Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Palawan

01:10 where they are also being taught about agriculture.

01:14 As of now, the congestion rate of prisons under BJMP and Bucor is at 400%.

01:20 Meanwhile, a Jail Decongestion Summit will be carried out by the DOJ, DILG, Supreme Court

01:27 and various stakeholders in December.

01:29 "In the opinion of the Supreme Court, DILG and DOJ, which is formed by the JSCC or the

01:36 Justice Sector Coordinating Council, where they coordinate and the communication of

01:43 the three justice actors is better, they pointed out that the congestion rate is a big issue.

01:49 So, the congestion summit that we are calling is being planned for a long time for the purpose

01:57 to address these problems.