BJMP: PDLs will have proper ventilation, enough water and food amid Super El Niño

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Amid extreme heat and potential water and food shortages brought by Super El Niño, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said preparations are underway to ensure proper ventilation and adequate food supplies for detainees across its facilities nationwide.

BJMP spokesperson J/Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera said that under the directive of their jail director, regional offices and the agency's 489 facilities nationwide are now preparing for the anticipated effects of Super El Niño.

“Kabilang na po dito yung pag-e-ensure ng proper ventilation, mga water supplies sa ating facilities, pagmo-monitor ng kalusugan ng ating persons deprived of liberty (PDL) at iba pang pakikipag-ugnayan sa DRR component ng bawat LGU ng bawat piitan,” Bustinera said.

(This includes ensuring proper ventilation, securing water supplies in our facilities, monitoring the health of our persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), and coordinating with the Disaster Risk Reduction components of the respective local government units for each jail.)

“... Within 90 days, pinagco-comply na po ang ating mga piitan at ating mga regions dito,” he added.

(...Within 90 days, our jails and regional offices have been directed to comply with these measures.)

To prepare for potential water shortages, the BJMP noted that it has water storage tanks in place and maintains ongoing coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection to supply water when necessary.

According to Bustinera, the agency has also been coordinating with local water concessionaires to ensure a reliable water supply for its facilities.

“Ngayong Super El Niño, inaasahan din po namin na baka magkaroon ng limited supply of food, lalo na kung magkakaroon ng drought and, at the same time, food emergency, ay kumbaga na-consider na rin ng BJMP ‘to,” Bustinera said.

(During Super El Niño, we also anticipate a potential limit on food supplies, especially if a drought occurs. At the same time, the possibility of a food emergency has already been taken into account by the BJMP.)

“So in part, dinaan na ho ito sa proper procurement through our sourcing of food supply direct to our farmers. At the same time, ‘ganon din po ‘yung proper preparation nito ay sinanay na natin ang ating jails ng proper food preparation,” he added.

(So in part, this was addressed through proper procurement by sourcing food supplies directly from local farmers. At the same time, our jails have been trained in proper food preparation.)

To counter the severe heat, the BJMP stated that it would limit outdoor activities for PDLs between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. starting this October.

It added that proper ventilation and exhaust systems in cell blocks will also be inspected to alleviate heat.

Meanwhile, vulnerable PDLs, including the elderly, pregnant women, and those with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, are currently housed in infirmaries or grouped in designated cells for close monitoring.

“Kabilang na rin po yung constant monitoring ng ating mga jail nurses and doctors. Bawat facility po natin ngayon ay may nakatalaga na 24/7 na jail nurses at may roving doctors po tayo na available via telemedical consultation,” Bustinera added.

(This includes constant health monitoring by our jail nurses and doctors. Every facility now has assigned 24/7 jail nurses, along with roving doctors available via telemedicine consultations.)

The BJMP said that families and relatives of PDLs inside its facilities can be assured that measures are being implemented to ensure detainee welfare and proper preparation for extreme weather conditions. —RF, GMA News