CEBU, Philippines - The Human Resource Office of the Cebu Provincial Capitol has started scouting for potential "watchmen" to augment security manpower for the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), an official said.
"Para in kaso nga duna’y ipadangat ngadto sa CODI (Committee on Discipline and Investigation) nga tawo nga medyo naa’y igong basehan sa kaso og maabot sa punto nga ipa-preventive supension, naa ta’y enough manpower," said Bonifer “Bobby” Nacorda, Capitol’s Human Resource Management Officer.
Nacorda told reporters that this was included in his discussion with Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III last Monday. Nacorda also said he has already tasked the recruitment section to look for qualified applicants.
Those who graduated or have background in criminology studies are qualified to apply as watchmen.
"Dakong pasalamat kung licensed gyud sila," said Nacorda.
Nacorda explained that “watchmen” is an entry-level position. After a probationary period, watchmen can be reclassified as jail guards based on evaluation.
He has not disclosed yet how many watchmen they will be hiring for CPDRC.
Nacorda added that the partnership between the provincial government and the PNP regarding jail security will remain.
In addition, Nacorda said that an assessment will be conducted among the employees in CPDRC to know who among them is not performing well.
"Usa sa nga nahisgutan ang pag-identify nato kung kinsa ang mga personnel nga dapat mahatagan og pagtagad," he said.
Earlier, all employees assigned in CPDRC were placed under investigation for the alleged contraband smuggling inside the facility after a greyhound operation conducted last week resulted to the confiscation of illegal drugs worth P236,000, bladed weapons and P17,000 cash.
During the 448th founding anniversary of Cebu Province, Davide expressed disappointment and ordered to withhold the P10,000 cash incentive of 133 employees under CPDRC due to their unsatisfactory performance.
Davide said he gave the employees until Friday to go to his office to reveal to him who helped smuggle contraband inside the facility.
"Between now (Tuesday) and Friday, magpaabot ko nila. Mayta'g moduol dinhi para makahibaw ta kung kinsa. Whatever the information nga ilaha ihatag nako, confidential gyud," Davide said.
He said he prefers for those who will come forward to meet with him in person.
"Mahibaw-an man gud nimo ang dagway sa tawo nga mosumbong og kung nagsulti ba sila sa tinuod o dili," he explained.
Davide added that information provided through text messaging can be misunderstood or might be considered as a prank.
Meanwhile, Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office Director Carmen "Ivy" Durano-Meca said they plan to conduct drug-testing and provide drug-testing kits to the personnel of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and to the inmates in CPDRC.
She added that the plan has yet to be realized as this needs more discussion with the officials of BJMP and CPDRC together with CPADAO's legal officer.
"Actually, there's still a meeting that needs to be conducted with our legal office as well as with the management of CPDRC and sa kato sang (officials) sa BJMP nga nag-request. We need to sit down and discuss things in regards to the conduct of drug-testing for the inmates," she said. (FREEMAN)