BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Region 6 has reported an overall jail congestion rate of 156 percent across Western Visayas, with the Iloilo City District Jail – Male Dormitory recording the highest congestion rate in the region at 758 percent.
As of July 19, 2026, Region 6’s jail population reached 6,140 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), far exceeding the combined ideal capacity of 2,394, resulting in an excess of 3,746 inmates.
The Roxas City Jail – Male Dormitory followed with a congestion rate of 653 percent, while the Aklan District Jail – Female Dormitory and Jordan District Jail remained below capacity.
Despite the situation, BJMP Region 6 director Jail Chief Superintendent Jhon Montero said the congestion remains manageable as jail officials continue implementing decongestion measures.
“Alarming ini, pero ang aton warden can manage the congestion,” Montero said.
Montero said the warden of the Iloilo City District Jail has coordinated with the courts to temporarily stop accepting newly committed inmates to prevent the facility from becoming more overcrowded.
“As of the moment, naga-minus lang ang aton preso. Kun sa aton pa, sige lang release, wala naga-add,” he said.
Instead, newly committed inmates are being accommodated at the Iloilo District Jail Facility-Annex in Barangay Nanga, Pototan, ILoilo.
Montero said BJMP Region 6 will continue transferring inmates to facilities with available space and strengthening coordination with courts and other justice sector agencies to expedite case disposition and reduce prolonged detention./PN
