BJMP beefs up efforts to keep PDLs and staff safe
Published Apr 19, 2020 12:00 am
By Chito Chavez
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) assured its full support for persons deprived of liberty (PDL) and its personnel in the midst of the dreaded novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (MANILA BULLETIN)
BJMP chief Director Allan Iral made the assurance after visiting the Quezon City Jail (QCJ) male dormitory to check the facilities and the living condition of its inmates.
He told PDLs and the BJMP personnel of his office’s intention to provide for their needs in this health emergency crisis.
Iral said the jail warden will particularly focus on providing ample medical attention to PDL patients, including the sufficient supply of food and multivitamins to boost their health.
He recently directed the conduct of intensive contact tracing in the facility after nine PDLs and nine BJMP staff tested positive for COVID-19.
In a virtual briefing on Thursday, Iral told BJMP regional directors for “the need to triple the efforts in the strict implementation of precautionary measures in jail.”
“Our doctors and nurses are working round the clock to provide medical care to the PDL patients for their immediate recovery,” said Iral.
He also vowed to ensure that the BJMP personnel who contracted the virus receive proper medical care.
BJMP spokesman Chief Inspector Xavier Solda said that the nine PDL patients continue to show positive progress as of April 18, during the health check of duty nurses.
None of the said PDLs have fever, cough, and colds, while the only patient with a premedical condition has been given his maintenance medicine for hypertension, Sold said.
He noted the facility has set-up additional communication lines to augment the “Electronic Dalaw (Visit)’’ to help PDLs keep in touch with their families even with the jail lockdown.
Also, Fire Director Jose Embang joined Iral in the visit to help the BJMP assess the situation at the Quezon City Jail, as a disaster response and infectious disease control expert.
Embang conferred with the jail warden and BJMP NCR Director Jail Chief Superintendent Ignacio Panti and BJMP Deputy Director for Operations Jail Senior Superintendent Ma. Annie Espinosa during the meeting.
Embang assured the BJMP in providing support, specifically in terms of water supply for the jails as water shortage is expected during the summer months.
Meanwhile, Iral thanked Boris Michel, the head of delegation of the International Committee on the Red Cross (ICRC) Philippines, for providing support in establishing the COVID Isolation Center.
The BJMP said that ICRC Philippines, on top of logistical support, has also extended technical assistance on capacity building, the latest of which is the training of health and custodial personnel on managing infectious diseases in jails.
The BJMP chief also extended his appreciation for the support of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Quezon City health department (QCHD).
Iral noted that the DOH provided technical assistance in the assessment of the situation at Quezon City Jail, including test kits and additional PPEs, while the QCHD has extended support in the testing of PDLs, the billeting for personnel under quarantine, and the disinfection of the facility.
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (MANILA BULLETIN)
BJMP chief Director Allan Iral made the assurance after visiting the Quezon City Jail (QCJ) male dormitory to check the facilities and the living condition of its inmates.
He told PDLs and the BJMP personnel of his office’s intention to provide for their needs in this health emergency crisis.
Iral said the jail warden will particularly focus on providing ample medical attention to PDL patients, including the sufficient supply of food and multivitamins to boost their health.
He recently directed the conduct of intensive contact tracing in the facility after nine PDLs and nine BJMP staff tested positive for COVID-19.
In a virtual briefing on Thursday, Iral told BJMP regional directors for “the need to triple the efforts in the strict implementation of precautionary measures in jail.”
“Our doctors and nurses are working round the clock to provide medical care to the PDL patients for their immediate recovery,” said Iral.
He also vowed to ensure that the BJMP personnel who contracted the virus receive proper medical care.
BJMP spokesman Chief Inspector Xavier Solda said that the nine PDL patients continue to show positive progress as of April 18, during the health check of duty nurses.
None of the said PDLs have fever, cough, and colds, while the only patient with a premedical condition has been given his maintenance medicine for hypertension, Sold said.
He noted the facility has set-up additional communication lines to augment the “Electronic Dalaw (Visit)’’ to help PDLs keep in touch with their families even with the jail lockdown.
Also, Fire Director Jose Embang joined Iral in the visit to help the BJMP assess the situation at the Quezon City Jail, as a disaster response and infectious disease control expert.
Embang conferred with the jail warden and BJMP NCR Director Jail Chief Superintendent Ignacio Panti and BJMP Deputy Director for Operations Jail Senior Superintendent Ma. Annie Espinosa during the meeting.
Embang assured the BJMP in providing support, specifically in terms of water supply for the jails as water shortage is expected during the summer months.
Meanwhile, Iral thanked Boris Michel, the head of delegation of the International Committee on the Red Cross (ICRC) Philippines, for providing support in establishing the COVID Isolation Center.
The BJMP said that ICRC Philippines, on top of logistical support, has also extended technical assistance on capacity building, the latest of which is the training of health and custodial personnel on managing infectious diseases in jails.
The BJMP chief also extended his appreciation for the support of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Quezon City health department (QCHD).
Iral noted that the DOH provided technical assistance in the assessment of the situation at Quezon City Jail, including test kits and additional PPEs, while the QCHD has extended support in the testing of PDLs, the billeting for personnel under quarantine, and the disinfection of the facility.