LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – The city government of Laoag and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Region 1 office have entered and signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) recently for usufruct for the construction of the new city jail at Barangay Salet-Bulangon in the city.
Under the MOA, the BJMP can use the lot for 25 years.
The lot to be used is measured up to 4,661 square meters (sq m).
According to J/INSP. Shiela Marie Sapaden, jail warden of BJMP-Laoag City, the new city jail can accommodate up to 500 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
The current city jail in Brgy. San Lorenzo is only more than 1,000 sq m., housing about 300 PDLs when its capacity is only supposed to be 100 PDLs.
Sapaden said the construction of the new city jail will prevent jail congestion.
“As of now, ongoing na ang paghahanap namin ng construction company na suited for this program,” she updated.
Meanwhile, Laoag City Mayor Michael Marcos Keon expressed his support for the construction of the bigger city jail to avoid congestion.
“This is a good project because the jail that we have now is masyadong maliit and it’s not in a good area. Jails are not supposed to be located in such a populated and residential area kaya it’s good na this lot is in [Barangay] Salet-Bulangon,” he said.
BJMP Ilocos regional director J/SSUPT. Florante Nisperos said that with the bigger city jail, their reformation program will be strengthened.
“Inaasahan namin na makakatulong sa pagpapalakas ng reformation program ang magiging bagong city jail para paglabas ng mga PDLs hindi na gagawa ng mga kalokohan,” he said.
Moreover, Sapaden said they are continuing the skills development for the PDLs with a lantern making to sell this holiday season. (JCR/AMB/EJFG, PIA Ilocos Norte)
Laoag City Mayor Michael Marcos Keon (left) and BJMP Regional Director J/SSUPT. Florante Nisperos (right) shake hands after the signing of Memorandum of Agreement of usufruct for the construction of a new city jail. (Courtesy: City Government of Laoag)
