New facility for Taguig inmates

Taguig City Mayor Freddie Tinga has ordered the immediate transfer of all 368 inmates of the cramped city jail into the new prison facility, which is located on a 4.2-hectare property acquired by City Hall from the Department of Public Works and Highways through a presidential order.

In a statement, Tinga said the new city jail has eight cells that can accommodate more than a thousand detainees.

Apart from more space, inmates will have a ceiling fan and a comfort room per cell.

There are only two ceiling fans in all four cells of the old city jail.

Jail warden Superintendent Ernest Romero has expressed appreciation for the support the mayor has been extending to them.

"It is necessary to transfer these inmates from an overcrowded to a more spacious and well-ventilated cell to prevent skin diseases and other contagious illnesses like colds, cough, flu, and even tuberculosis," he said.

Apart from the new jail, a hall of justice is also being constructed on the property and would be ready for use before December.

Tinga said inmates would further benefit from the plan because they just have to walk a short distance to attend court hearings. — Edu Punay