BJMP lauds personnel for ensuring safety of PDLs amid 'Odette' onslaught
By Chito Chavez
In time for Christmas Day, Dec. 25, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) commended its personnel for ensuring that all persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) under their care were safe and all accounted for amid the onslaught of typhoon "Odette."

BJMP Director Allan Iral said all 150 affected jail personnel in Caraga (Region 13) received groceries from him as Christmas gifts for their "exemplary" performance in the conduct of duties while in the face of danger. The BJMP Caraga remained on heightened alert status due to the devastating effects of the typhoon.
He visited Surigao del Norte on Friday to personally oversee the relief and rehabilitation efforts being conducted by the provincial unit.
He cited the jail personnel of Surigao del Norte District Jail, Surigao City Jail, and Surigao District Jail Annex (Dapa) "for protecting the lives of the PDLs under their care while assisting the immediate communities surrounding them.’’
Aside from grocery items, Iral said that cash assistance will also be provided to BJMP Caraga while three generators donated by BJMP Multi Purpose Cooperative will be deployed to the most affected facilities in the region.
The BJMP chief assured that all of the bureau’s resources and necessary support will be extended to the affected jails specifically in the rehabilitation of the damaged cells.
“Huwag kayong mag-alala (Don’t worry). You have the backing of the whole agency. Babangon tayo nang mabilis mula sa kalamidad na ito (We will recover swiftly from this calamity)," he added.
Iral also vowed to extend similar assistance to its personnel in other typhoon-affected regions in Visayas and Mindanao.
Aside from CARAGA, Iral pointed out that four other regions namely BJMP Mimaropa, Regions VI, VII and VIII are being monitored for the delivery of much needed support.