Minglanilla mayor mulls new jail in Candulawan

CEBU, Philippines - Minglanilla town Mayor Elanito Peña is planning to transfer the municipal jail from Barangay Tulay to a much bigger area in Candulawan.

Peña said the present jail only has an area of 596 square meters. He said the area in Candulawan is five hectares.

Jail warden Inspector Russel Ritaga said the jail is currently congested and they need a bigger area. Ritaga said they only have three cottages available to house 191 inmates. Each cottage has a capacity of 20 persons.

Peña said the area in Candulawan is appropriate for the expansion project of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

"Plano nako padak-an kay daghan na mi population (inmates)," he said.

Peña said the municipal government is willing to give counterpart for the construction of the new jail facility.

"Mo-counterpart mi sa National, dinha magdepende kung pila ang budget," he said.

Aside from cottages for inmates, Peña is also planning to put up a holding center intended for minors.

He said they are now working on the program of work for the project.

Ritaga is glad for the support of the municipal officials.

He said they can now start requesting for funding from the national office of BJMP to start the construction of the new jail facility. (FREEMAN)