
By ERWIN “AMBO” DELILAN
THE COMMISSION on Human Rights (CHR) is hyping its appeal for the immediate hike of meal and medical allowances for persons deprived of liberty (PDL) in Negros Occidental.
The Commission is banking on the country’s legislators both in the House of Representatives and Senate to take a look at the budget for each PDL since 2022 at only P70 per day in meal allowance and P15 per day for medical expenses.
Vincent Parra, CHR-Negros Occidental head, on Monday, December 9, said the current food and medical allowances for PDLs are very meager, considering now the current prices of basic commodities as well as rates on medical checkup.
“Too low,” Parra said.
Parra cited as example the Negros Occidental District Jail (,NODJ) in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City.
The NOJD, at present, has a 215% congestion rate, CHR-Negros Occidental revealed.
From its normal capacity good only for 500 inmates, NOJD now has 646.
‘INHUMAN TREATMENT’
The problem is, the P70/meal allowance, if divided into three meals per day, is only P23/meal, which is tantamount to inhuman treatment, Parra said.
Worse, he said, some PDLs at NODJ are suffering from mental health problems while two were diagnosed with cancer.
With only P15/day medical allowance, Parra said, “This not enough.”
In August, Parra said the Commission pitched an appeal to Congress to legislate a hike in the meal and medical allowances of PDLs across the country. But no lawmaker came forward to answer CHR’s call.
Negros Occidental 5th District’s Cong. Dino Yulo vowed to support the move.
“Yes, I will,” Yulo told Rappler via Viber message on Sunday, December 9.
Parra said it is really a must to increase the meal and medical allowances of PDLs not only in Negros Occidental, considering the many challenges jail face.
AGAINST MANDELA PROTOCOL
Jail congestion is against the Mandela protocol that only one inmate is allowed per prison cell, he said.
Adding to the suffering of inmates inside crowded detention cells is the meager allowance for daily food which, according to Parra, is a violation of Articles 7 and 10 (Part III) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Philippines is a State Party.
Under said articles, PDLs should be treated with humanity and with respect for the dignity of an individual. Article 10 per se mandates that correctional system should be designed to rehabilitate and assist with social integration of inmates.
The Philippines being a State Party to the ICCPR, the CHR emphasizes that the State has an obligation to adhere to these international standards that fully respect the rights of all individuals, including PDLs .
Parra hopes that Negros Occidental solons will now hear their appeal with an utmost consideration.
The CHR, he said, remains committed to advocate for the rights and welfare of PDLs.
Humane treatment is key and crucial to genuine rehabilitation and social integration, he added.
Bacolod City Lone District’s Cong. Greg Gasataya also vows to look into the appeal of CHR, and will cast his decision later.
THE CALL IS VALID
The call to increase meal and medical allowances is valid. Considering the current economic scenario and inflation, P70/day for three meals is not just cheap, but very cheap rather. Worse, the P15/day medical allowance, which is very, very dismal.
I think the country’s solons must feel the needs of our PDLs right now – not just in Negros Occidental but across the country.
After all, they’re human beings deserving to be treated well even if they’re felons. Fair and humane treatment is the key./PN