Palace oks P11M budget for more facilities at jail

The Office of the President has approved the request of the city government for an P11 million budget to construct additional facilities at the city jail.

In a letter to the city government, Executive Officer Eduardo Ermita said the request has been granted "subject to availability of funds and pertinent budgetary, accounting and auditing rules and regulations."

"With reference to your request for authority to use savings in the amount of P11,000,000 generated from the construction of additional facilities of the new city jail at Kalunasan, Cebu City to be used in the installation of a central monitoring station and other amenities/improvements of same city jail in Kalunasan, please be informed of the approval of your request," Ermita said.

On May 26, 2005, Vice Mayor Michael Rama sent a letter to the president asking her to order, through the Department of Interior and Local Government, the use of the remaining P11 million from the original P30 million budget intended for the construction of the Metro Cebu Drug and Rehabilitation Center.

"During our meeting with some officials of BJMP, National Office, we were informed that the bidding of the projects have been going on and that there is still P11 million savings from the allocation...we would like to request the president to issue an order through the DILG to allow us to use the remaining amount for the needed improvements of the new Kalunasan jail," the letter reads.

In a press conference yesterday, Rama said the things to be prioritized when the city government eventually receives the remaining amount is the installation of the close circuit monitoring system, construction of steel bars adjoining the roof base and perimeter wall at the rooftop of the male dorm, and the installation of a close circuit monitoring system.