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ILOILO City – The female dormitory of the Iloilo City District Jail is congested.
Although it was built to accommodate only 35 inmates, the dormitory currently houses 223.
Due to the congestion, inmates are required to have medical checkup to ensure they are in good health, revealed Jail warden Chief Inspector Imee Lopera.
They undergo tuberculosis screening, among others.
Visitors who are sick are not allowed to enter the facility and sick inmates are immediately isolated, said Lopera.
The Department of Health through the City Health Office also provides female inmates with vitamins.
To accommodate its increasing number of inmates, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) will transfer the female dormitory of the Iloilo City District Jail to Barangay Nanga, Pototan, Iloilo.
The dormitory has five cells that can hold a maximum of 10 inmates each.
Lopera said none has come forward to donate a lot where a bigger dormitory could be erected.
A budget of around P35 million has been allotted for the construction of a bigger one but this would revert to the general fund if left unutilized.
Lopera said they hoped to transfer to Pototan by middle of this year.
As of today, 204 or 91 percent of the inmates are facing charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
Five are bound for the national correctional and the rest are charged with crimes against property and persons.
Meantime, members of the media took time out from their busy schedule to share the spirit of Christmas with the inmates.
The annual gift-giving that started in 2001 happens every December. However, due to the limited time and resources of the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps, the activity was moved to January, said Runji Jamolo of Radyo Pilipinas.
The gift consists of 50 pieces of mono block chairs which inmates can use when they entertain visitors and when working on their various livelihood projects.
“We hope these gifts will bring some little comfort. Life is hard outside but it is harder here,” Jamolo said.
The chairs were acquired following a consultation with Lopera.
The warden found the chairs a necessity for inmates since they only have limited facilities at the dormitory.
“You just don’t know how blessed we are to be remembered by you,” said Leda Layson, who spoke on behalf of the inmates during a recent turnover ceremony. (PNA)
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