The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) welcomed the move of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to help the bureau’s “E-dalaw” program for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and members of their families.
“The ICRC is planning to donate technical equipment such as laptops to the Bureau for the ‘E-dalaw’ program,” BuCor said in a statement.
It said ICRC’s initiative would be of great help considering the ban on the use of cellular phones in the bureau’s premises and those in its seven prison facilities nationwide.
“This proposal will be a big help in the goal of the Bucor in combating the PDLs’ home sickness with their families and friends,” it pointed out.
It said that ICRC’s representatives conveyed this plan during a meeting with BuCor Director General Gerald Q. Bantag last Wednesday, Aug. 17.
“According to ICRC, these laptops would not affect the directive of the Secretary of Justice Jesus Crispin C. Remulla regarding the ‘No Cellphone Policy’ bureauwide,” BuCor assured.
It said the ICRC has been “donating significant materials and equipment to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and its Prison and Penal Farms (PPFs).”
“ICRC recently handed over a temporary Hospital to the NBP in the fulfillment of their commitment to uphold, promote and protect the healthcare of every PDL,” it said
Secretary Remulla visited BuCor’s headquarters in the NBP last July 18.
During the visit, Remulla directed Bantag to implement the no cellular telephone policy for on-duty personnel.
To prevent the bringing of mobile phones inside Bucor’s premises, all personnel had been ordered to use only transparent bags for easier detection of prohibited items, including cellular phones.