The congestion rate in detention facilities under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) continues to decline amid the policy reforms on facility upgrades and operational efficiency.

From 358 percent in 2023, BJMP chief Director Ruel Rivera said they were able to reduce it to 296 percent in the first few months of this year.

“This improvement was made possible through intensified paralegal assistance and the construction of new jail facilities,’’ said Rivera during the 34th founding anniversary of the BJMP on Wednesday, July 2.

In the past year, nine BJMP jail buildings were constructed, six perimeter fences and one functional area completed, while 19 perimeter fences and 15 functional areas are currently underway.

Rivera pointed out that these developments aim to enhance living conditions and promote security in jail facilities.

The enhanced jail congestion rate was further boosted after 85,183 PDL were released through legal aid and paralegal services, in partnership with the Supreme Court, Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and law schools nationwide.

Sustained Anti-Drug Campaigns, Improved Jail Security

Aligned with the government’s humane anti-illegal drug approach, the BJMP, alongside the Philippine National Police (PDEA) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), secured 230 drug-free jail certifications and 77 drug-cleared facilities, while conducting over 314,819 greyhound operations nationwide.

Rivera commended the vigilance of jail personnel in preventing contraband smuggling.

“Kapuri-puri rin ang sipag at husay ng ating mga searchers, gaters, at custodial officers na naka-kumpiska (contrabands) bago maipasok sa ating mga pasilidad (The perseverance and expertise of our searchers, gaters and custodial officers who confiscate contrabands before they are brought inside our facilities are commendable),’’ Rivera said.

Among the confiscated items were nearly 500 grams of shabu, 33 grams of marijuana, and 83 mobile phones.

PDL Reformation and Empowerment in Full Swing

Rivera noted that the BJMP’s “rehabilitative thrust’’ remains in full-throttle for the PDLs who wish and can still be reformed.

Through the Katatagan, Kalusugan at Damayan sa Komunidad (KKDK) program, a total of 3,152 PDLs with substance use issues completed reformation programs.

In addition, a total of 66,354 PDLs engaged in livelihood activities that generated over P116 million in income, while 95,585 PDLs benefited from e-Dalaw or electronic visitation.

“Education also remained a top priority. A total of 10,739 PDL graduated from elementary and high school under the Alternative Learning System (ALS), 112,707 completed skills training, and 107 earned college degrees under the College Education Behind Bars program. Another 720 PDL are currently enrolled in various tertiary programs,’’ Rivera maintained.

Emphasizing the value of education, Rivera noted that incarceration is simply never a hindrance to pursue higher degrees or added knowledge that may come handy in future employment or livelihood endeavors.

The BJMP also ensured the PDLs’ political participation, with 31,689 PDLs successfully casting their votes during the May 2025 National and Local Elections, in line with the agency’s commitment to upholding their constitutional rights.

A Stronger, Safer Jail Workforce

To boost operational capacity and ensure safer jail environments, 2,400 new Jail Officer 1 (JO1) took their oath of office, improving the PDL-to-officer ratio from 1:42 to 1:36.

Rivera revealed that the increase, combined with other security measures, contributed to the 10 percent “reduction in jail incidents.’’

He disclosed that personnel development remained a priority, with 1,499 promotions processed and over 27,000 awards and commendations conferred.

One of the highlights of the celebration was the recognition of four jail officers from Parañaque City Jail who heroically thwarted an armed ambush and escape attempt of a high-profile PDL last April.

“Para po sa kaalaman ng ating mga panauhin, ang ating mga jail officers po ay tinambangan, at ang kanilang sakay na PDL ay tinangkang itakas. Sa kabila ng panganib sa kanilang kaligtasan, hindi nagpa-tinag sina JO3 Leif Joseph Talanquines, JO2 Angelo Badong, JO2 John Aldrin Manalang, at JO2 Cedric Carag (For the information of our guests, our jail officers and there was an attempt to rescue the PDL that they were transporting. Despite the impending danger, Jail Officer 3 (JO3) Leif Joseph Talanquines, JO2 Angelo Badong, JO2 John Aldrin Manal