TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Region 02 assured that persons deprived of liberty (PDL) in the region are given proper nutrition and health services.
In Tipon-Tipan sa PIA [Philippine Information Agency] 02 on Tuesday, March 20, BJMP Chief for administration and health Jail Chief Inspector Juliet Miranda said PDLs, formerly termed as inmates, are provided supplies such as water, medicine, nurses, and food.
Miranda also said PDLs are given free dental services apart from their regular medical checkups. This despite having only an allocated P5 daily medicine budget per inmate.
BJMP is also monitoring PDLs’ health as the bureau has observed that many PDLs are gaining more weight.
Miranda said one of the usual health problems of PDLs is hypertension which is attributed to PDLs’ lessened physical activities.
To keep them away from lifestyle-related diseases, PDLs undergo physical fitness activities such as exercises, zumba sessions, and TaeBo sessions.
Miranda added that BJMP is regularly monitoring the blood pressures of PDLs with such conditions, aside from giving them necessary medication.
She also assured that all of their jails have nurses.
BJMP also assured that PDLs get proper and nutritious food.
Miranda said they are regularly checking the quality of food given to PDLs through the BJMP’s food service council.
“Not so much on the quantity kasi sa nutrition naman it’s not about quantity that counts [but] it’s the quality at ano ba yang nutritional value [ng pagkain],” Miranda said.
“Gagawin po namin ang lahat ng aming makakaya para matulungan po namin ang ating ga mahal sa buhay, ang ating mga [PDL] na nasa ating jurisdiction para kahit papaano paglabas nila, pagkalaya sila sa kanilang pansamantalang tahanan ay iba na sila, meron na silang baon na mga skills, meron nang pagbabago sa kanilang behaviors,” Assistant Regional Director for Administration Jail Superintendent Flory Sanchez said. Northernforum.net
