ILOILO – The Iloilo provincial government commits to providing rice subsidy for more than 1,000 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in Iloilo District Jail (IDJ) in Barangay Nanga, Pototan here.
According to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., he and the 14th Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) agreed on giving rice and other basic needs to the PDLs in IDJ to alleviate their problem of food shortage.
“Yes, (we) will give assistance. Ang nasugilanon naton sina of course together with SP nga our direction is to give assistance in kind, bugas and other needs,” said Defensor.
The allocation of kilograms of rice per PDL is yet to be determined since the drafting of the subsidy program is still ongoing.
In addition, the provincial government will provide medical and dental services to PDLs after they complained that they seldom avail the services due to the constrained number of healthcare personnel in the facilities of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
On another note, the provincial government will also start rolling out second boosters to PDLs in IDJ to further protect them from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Defensor clarified that the provincial government can only take this measure once other problems, which mainly fall under the obligations of the BJMP and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), are addressed.
The governor added that days after the noise barrage incident last Aug. 24 at IDJ Pototan, he talked with DILG secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and BJMP-6 regional director Jail Chief Superintendent Clint Russell Tangeres, who both committed to giving PDLs’ concerns better attention, particularly in increasing their food allowance.
“Pagkatapos sadtu sang insidente ang ka-meeting ko to next day was the regional director of the BJMP-6 and DILG secretary Abalos and they have the commitment. Ang solution sina dira which is ara sa national government, taasan man ang budget sang ginapakaon sa inmates ta,” added Defensor.
BJMP currently provides each PDL with a food allowance of P70 per day or P23 per meal.
On Sept. 6, the 14th SP conducted a committee hearing headed by Committee on Justice, Good Government and Human Rights chairman, 5th District Provincial Board member Carol V. Espinosa-Diaz, to discuss the matter.
During the hearing, the SP agreed to provide an additional food budget.
“Wala pa kita sang exact nga gin-commit kon pila gid ang aton idugang but we will do it, madugang kita,” said Diaz.
She also clarified that PDLs deserve a proper meal, adding that P23 is not enough, although they do not need to be fancy like “lechon and spaghetti”.
“Wala man ta nagahambal nga PDLs pakaunon sang lechon and spag, but admittedly, ang P23 sa isa ka meal is really not enough para makabakal sang insakto nga kan-on kag sud-an. Kada isa ka inmate sa kada meal daw maski diin ikaw siguro magkadto kulang gid man ina,” the board member explained.
It was also agreed that the provincial government, as suggested by the Commission on Human Rights Region 6, would provide livelihood programs for PDLs by utilizing a vacant lot for backyard farming.
They will coordinate with the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO), headed by Ildefonso Toledo, for planting materials and seedlings, and technical assistance.
Diaz explained that since food is the concern, why not utilize a vacant lot to farm and help ease the problem./PN
