ILOILO City – A newly completed P226.37-million female jail facility remains unusable despite the completion of its main dormitory, as the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Region 6 awaits government funding to finish critical security and support structures needed before the complex can be opened.
The delay has stalled the transfer of female persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to the modern facility in Barangay Buntatala, Leganes, Iloilo even though the first phase of construction has already been completed.
BJMP officials said the absence of a perimeter fence, administrative buildings, and other essential facilities makes occupancy too risky.
“Phase 1 is already 100 percent complete. However, Phase 2 still has no funding, including the construction of the perimeter fence, administrative buildings, and our health center. We are hoping these will be funded this year so implementation can begin next year, allowing the female PDLs to finally occupy the facility,” BJMP-6 director Jail Chief Superintendent Jhon Montero said.
Records showed that Phase 1 was completed on Feb. 24, 2026. However, as of Feb. 28, Phase 2 had achieved only 49.80 percent actual completion, far behind its scheduled accomplishment of 84.97 percent after the construction contract was terminated, resulting in the reversion of unused funds to the Department of Budget and Management.
Montero stressed that security considerations prevent the bureau from opening the facility prematurely.
“It would be difficult to allow occupancy before Phase 2 is completed because the perimeter fence has not yet been built. From a security standpoint, that would be very risky,” he said.
The two-hectare jail complex consists of the female dormitory under Phase 1 and several support facilities under Phase 2, including an administration building, visitors’ processing and visitation buildings, a kitchen, a commitment building, and other auxiliary structures.
Once fully completed, the new dormitory is expected to dramatically ease congestion by increasing accommodation capacity from just 35 female PDLs in the previous facility to as many as 640.
“Our new female dormitory will be able to accommodate up to 640 persons deprived of liberty,” Montero said.
Female PDLs are currently being housed at the BJMP facility in Barangay Nanga, Pototan after the former female dormitory inside the Iloilo City Police Office compound was vacated.
“Our Iloilo City female dormitory is now located in Nanga, Pototan because the old facility inside the Iloilo City Police Office compound is already being used by the police,” Montero said.
He added that the facility’s modern design would allow efficient operations with a relatively small workforce.
“Because of the quality and design of the new facility, it will not require a large number of personnel. Around 50 personnel will be enough to operate it,” Montero said.
Meanwhile, construction of the BJMP Regional Office VI building also remains unfinished. Phase 1 has reached 67.12 percent completion, while the bureau continues to seek funding for the remaining works. The BJMP-6 complex, which broke ground in June 2024 under the General Appropriations Act of 2024, is envisioned to become a model facility for future BJMP projects nationwide./PN
