BACOLOD CITY – The city government is planning to relocate the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Male Dormitory in Barangay Singcang-Airport to a new site in Barangay Granada.
Mayor Albee Benitez, accompanied by Barangay-Singcang Airport Captain Caesar Distrito, recently inspected the jail facility following reports on the condition of Persons Deprived of Liberty.
MAYOR Alfredo Abelardo ‘Albee’ Benitez (third from right) and Barangay Chairman Caesar Distrito (second from right) inspect the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Male Dormitory in Barangay Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City. (Photo courtesy of Atty. Caesar Distrito Facebook)
“It has come to my attention the hardships of the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) when we visited the city jail,” Benitez said in a press briefing on Monday, May 20.
Benitez said that during their inspection, they observed that the facility is not just humid but also overcrowded.
According to Distrito’s Facebook post, the facility has a capacity of 300 PDLs but it has almost 700 PDLs at present.
Benitez said they are discussing the necessary steps to make for the detention facility.
“We might move them to a newly-acquired property in Barangay Granada,” he added.
The BJMP-Male Dormitory is situated within the compound of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) headquarters.
Benitez said that if the jail will be relocated, there will be more facilities for the PDLs.
But he said they will have to check if the new site would be okay for visitors due to distance.