Solons urged: Help solve jail congestion

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has urged all district congressmen to secure funds from the national government to help decongest the jail facilities.

Garcia said the congressmen are in the better position to lobby for funds from the national coffer to improve the jail facilities in their respective district. The governor said that improving district jails would also help decongest the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

According to Garcia, all seven district congressmen in Cebu can ask for budget to expand the jail facilities in their area. She cited as example former Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon who secured funds from the national government to expand the jail facilities in his district.

"I will point out during the time of Congressman Benhur Salimbangon nakapangayo gyud siya og funds sa national government to expand the district jails. And I hope our representatives can cue from there," Garcia said.

The governor said they need the support from the national which has relatively more resources compared to the local government. She admitted that the congestion at CPDRC is one of her concerns.

According to Garcia, the provincial jail has over 2,000 inmates at present. The number is way beyond its 1,600 capacity. The governor said she plans to bring back the world renowned dancing inmates. — FPL (FREEMAN)