BJMP-Caraga’s ongoing decongestion efforts yield positive results
By Mariesh F. Celedeña
BUTUAN CITY (PIA)—The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Caraga Director Ferdinand D. Pontillo presented during the 30th Anniversary of BJMP Caraga that from 281 percent congestion rate in the region in 2023 it significantly decreased to 183 percent, this year 2025.
He highlighted the continuous decongestion efforts of the bureau to ease overcrowding and improve the overall living conditions of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in the jail facilities in the Caraga region.
During the celebration on September 4, he said, “Caraga region currently has 12 jail facilities housing a total of 2,154 PDLs in 2025, slightly higher than the 2,085 recorded in 2024. Despite this increase and limited resources, the BJMP Caraga delivered positive outcomes from its continuous decongestion efforts.”
One of the factors that contributed to this is the sustainable assistance on the release of PDLs. “The bureau was able to provide 1,456 paralegal services to PDLs for the year 2024 to 2025, which resulted in zero overstaying of PDLs in the jail facilities. An effort that significantly decreased the congestion rate,” the director added.
Another approach that the bureau has in place to reduce congestion is the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA), a privilege granted by the BJMP to PDLs for good behavior and exemplary conduct, entitling them to a deduction from their prison sentence.
BJMP Caraga and other jail facilities” active coordination with the other government agencies like Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police (PNP), local government units (LGUs), among others have significantly contributed to the bureau’s overall decongestion operation.
“We anticipate a further decrease in congestion with the completion of the new jail facility in Cabadbaran City. Once the installation of the perimeter fence and other necessary equipment will be completed and the facility will be fully operational, this will provide additional space and improve the living conditions for PDLs, ” Dir. Pontillo shared.
He underscored the significance and ongoing efforts of BJMP Caraga in implementing various facility improvements to strengthen security and enhance jail conditions. These include the construction of perimeter fences in selected jail facilities, installation of water storage tanks and repiping of water distribution systems, as well as the construction of entrance posts with storage facilities, and other jail facility developments, ensuring a safer, more secure, and more efficient environment for both PDLs and BJMP personnel.
Dir. Pontillo also emphasized that currently the region has 714 jail personnel, which is less than half of the total PDL population, resulting in a 1:17 personnel-to-PDL ratio.
Despite this disparity, the bureau ensures that PDLs are properly managed and secured by equipping its personnel with specialized training. These include courses on investigation procedures, incident negotiation, closed-circuit television (CCTV) administration and operations, and civil disturbance management.
“These capacity-building initiatives enhance the readiness and professionalism of our jail personnel, enabling them to effectively maintain order and security within the facilities,” the regional director said. (MFC, PIA Caraga)