BJMP, ICRC to implement P7-M projects

MANILA, Philippines – Despite the crisis involving workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the humanitarian organization continues to help those in need.   

A total of 9,423 inmates in district, city and municipal jails nationwide will soon have improved water supply, sanitation, ventilation and physical facilities.

The projects are among those to be implemented under the P7-million micro-infrastructure programs undertaken jointly by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and ICRC.

The BJMP, DILG and ICRC forged an agreement as part of efforts to improve the living conditions of inmates nationwide.

DILG Undersecretary Marius Corpus said the projects will be implemented in line with Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Upgrading Penal Infrastructure and BJMP Logistical Needs signed by BJMP chief Rosendo Dial and ICRC deputy head of delegation Cristoph Sutter, with ICRC Water and Habitat coordinator Marco Albertini and BJMP Directorate for Logistics head Supt. Arnulfo Obias as witnesses.

Corpus said the projects, which are expected to be completed by the end of the year, will benefit inmates from the Metro Manila District Jail, and the city jails of Manila, Parañaque, Canlaon, Guihulgan, Cebu, Tacloban, Iligan, Valencia, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Panabo, General Santos, Surigao and Butuan.

Aside from improving physical facilities, Corpuz said bio-digesters will also be put up in the target jails.

Dial said part of the agreement is to conduct three technical trainings for BJMP engineers and staff in charge of jail maintenance and rehabilitation in the National Capital Region (NCR), Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Last year, the ICRC put in P3.5 million for the water supply, sanitation and biofuel projects of jails in NCR, Regions 4A, 9 and 12, benefiting around 8,000 detainees. 

In 2007, it implemented P3.59-million worth of projects which benefited 7,951 inmates in Regions 9, 11, 12, 13 and NCR.