BJMP, Zamboanga courts forge alliance to improve PDL living condition

The Zamboanga City Jail  has forced an agreement with Zamboanga City 9th Judicial Region to improve the living condition of f the  persons deprived of liberty (PDLs in its jail facility, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said Wednesday, May 8.

In the recent visit to the jail facility, Zamboanga City Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Peter Eisma commended the consistent efforts and proactive measures of the Zamboanga City Jail in providing immediate health care and support to its PDLs.

The visit was made in view of the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) Circular No. 131-2024 which mandates the conduct of jail visitation to determine how PDL are affected by the current heat wave, 

“The Health Service Unit of the jail maintains a 24/7 PDL health monitoring scheme supported by Cell Health Aides to monitor the health situation in the facility strictly,’’ the BJMP noted.

To ensure the regular supply of safe water in the facility on top of the regular water ration, the Zamboanga City Jail utilizes an elevated water tank, a cistern tank, and two horizontal stainless water tanks with a combined capacity of 17 cubic meters. 

“Each jail cells were recently installed with a water filtration system including the kitchen area in addition to the quarterly bacteriological examination of drinking water in the facility which was initiated by the management to avert potential health concerns on the water supply,’’ it added.

In December 2023,  the Zamboanga City Jail management started to work on improving the airways and ventilation of each jail cell, removing blockades, and adding shades and plants to improve the natural cooling system in the facility. 

“We are putting all efforts to ensure that the right to good health of our PDL remains a top priority of our unit together with our partners from the Zamboanga City Health Office, Zamboanga City Medical Center, and other health partners,” Zamboanga City Jail Male Dormitory warden Jail Superintendent Xavier Solda said.

“We regularly advise our PDL to SIT and RELAKS. It is an acronym for Sabayang Inom ng Tubig at Regular na Ehersisyo, Ligo At Kalinisan sa Selda,” he added.

For the first time in years, the BJMP stated that the Zamboanga City Jail Male Dormitory posted zero cases of conjunctivitis and scabies which are prevalent diseases in the facility for decades. 

Earlier, BJMP chief Jail Director Ruel Rivera ordered the close monitoring of the health condition of PDL in all district, city, and municipal jails in the country. 

He also directed all regional offices to ensure enough medicines for prevalent diseases among PDL, especially during summer.

“Mahalaga po ang kalusugan ng bawat PDL na nasa aming pangangalaga kaya nga tinitiyak namin ang pagkakaroon ng agarang aksyon kung meron man silang pangangailangang medikal lalo na ngayon pong panahon ng tag-init (The health condition of the PDL in our care is important that is why we are ensuring the immediate action if they have any medical needs especially during this time of extreme heat), Rivera emphasized.