Mandaue inmates get new service car

CEBU, Philippines – Transporting female inmates of Mandaue City Jail to the court for the hearing of their cases used to be a challenge because of the absence of a transport vehicle.

With the city government's recent purchase of a van worth P600,000, jail officials are optimistic this challenge can finally be addressed.

Mayor Jonas Cortes officially turned over the Suzuki van to S/Insp. Jonabelle Roiles, warden for the female inmates, during the flag-raising ceremony on Monday.

The said vehicle can accommodate six inmates and four escorts, excluding the driver.

Mandaue city jail warden C/Insp. Gil Inopia clarified the vehicle can also be used by the male inmates if it is available.

Inopia said the van will be a great help because for a long time, they city jail has only been using one Foton prisoner's service which has a capacity of 10 inmates.

Inopia said although the new vehicle is intended for female inmates, the management of the facility can request to use it when unused.

Meanwhile, the city jail has sent five convicted inmates last month to Abuyog Regional Prison in Abuyog, Leyte as part of their plan to decongest the city jail.

To minimize costs, the national management issued instructions to the local jail management to send their convicted inmates to Abuyog instead of the national penitentiary in Muntinlupa.

The jail facility, located on Superior Street, Barangay Looc, houses 114 female and 1,116 male inmates.