Participation of Persons Deprived of Liberty in Disaster Risk

Reduction in (Place) Jails

This study looks into the situation of PDLs in two selected Calabarzon jails.
It presents the recurring patterns and observable behavior of PDLs during
disaster events and the level of their participation in disaster risk reduction
management (DRRM) programs. Current prison management policies
prohibit PDLs from assisting with the prison administration. However, a gap
in policy and practice caused by lack of personnel and resources makes
the participation of PDLs necessary. Although further research is needed to
identify the underlying mechanisms and relations, findings suggest the
advantages of formalizing PDL participation in DRRM to achieve better
operationalization of DRRM related activities and attaining orderly prison
management.
NEWS https://tribune.net.ph
BJMP: No escape tries during ‘Karding’
Glen Jacob Jose
Published on: Sep 28, 2022, 04:10
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology assured the public Tuesday that jail
facilities under its jurisdiction, especially in Luzon where super typhoon "Karding" hit
hardest, have reverted back to "normal" status.
BJMP chief Jail Director Allan Iral revealed that some detention facilities incurred
minimal damage from the typhoon which were immediately fixed by BJMP personnel to
ensure the security of the facilities.
Iral said that as "Karding" barrelled through Luzon, the BJMP help a security vigil and
with earlier preparations achieved zero incidents.
Persons deprived of liberty, in the Philippines and in other countries, are known to take
advantage of natural calamities to time their escape from prison facilities.
"It can be said that the BJMP's preparations in relation to typhoon 'Karding' had been
effective," Iral said in Filipino.
A total of 729 inmates — 632 males and 97 females from the San Mateo Municipal Jail
— had to be evacuated to Guitnang Bayan I Elementary School in Rizal at the height of
the typhoon.
"All 729 PDL were safely returned to the jail facilities through the assistance of the
BJMP Special Tactics and Response Team of BJMP Regional Office-CALABARZON,"
Iral said
He commended wardens and jail personnel for ensuring the safety and security of the
PDL during the onslaught of typhoon "Karding" over the weekend.
Wardens of the affected jail facilities have been directed to conduct a post-typhoon
assessment, clearing operations and debriefing of personnel.
Iral assured the families of PDL that all under the BJMP'S jurisdiction are safe and well-
secured amid the recent typhoon.
"There is nothing to worry about because your loved ones who are in our care are safe
and in a good condition," he said.

Read more at: https://tribune.net.ph/2022/09/27/bjmp-no-escape-tries-during-karding

6K coastal residents in Calabarzon evacuated due to ‘Ompong’
By Saul Pa-a
September 15, 2018, 2:55 pm

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna -- More than 6,000 people living along the Laguna de Bay
shoreline towns of Rizal and Laguna, and island villages of Cavite, Batangas and
Quezon were moved to safer grounds during a preemptive evacuation Friday night due
to Typhoon Ompong.
Director of the Office of Civil Defense - Regional Risk Reduction and Management
Council (OCD-RDRRMC) 4-A (Calabarzon) Olivia Luces told the Philippine News
Agency (PNA) that their Operations Center remains in Blue Alert as they are constantly
monitoring the effects of the typhoon, including the enhancement of communications
system with local DRRMCs across the region.
Luces said the local DRRM offices have conducted their preemptive evacuations for
communities vulnerable to flooding, storm surges, landslides and other hazards as they
assess the weather situation with rains and strong winds affecting the areas.
She said no there was no reported casualty or untoward incident as of press time
As of midnight Friday, some 1,168 residents were moved to evacuation centers in the
Laguna lakeshore towns of Bay with 127; Calauan, 57; Kalayaan, 181; Los Baños, 134;
Mabitac, 125; Paete, 21; Pakil, 18; Pangil, 127; Pila , 11; Siniloan, 111; Sta. Cruz, 29;
Santa Maria, 34; and Calamba City, 193.
In Batangas province, some 47 residents of the island town of Tingloy were also
evacuated and eight in Batangas City.
In Rizal province, some 68 residents were assisted by the local DRRMO in Binangonan;
Jalajala, 192; Rodriguez, 755; Tanay, 43; and Taytay, 99.
LGUs through their LDRRMOs also conducted preemptive evacuations of 376 residents
of San Francisco town and 15 from Polillo Island, both in Quezon province.
The Cavite PDRRMO reported that as of 8 a.m. Saturday, they conducted preemptive
evacuations of some 3,306 residents, especially from the flood-prone and coastline
towns of Noveleta, with 167; Cavite City, 2,130; Rosario, 387; and 622 in Tanza.
Luces also said members of the regional and provincial Quick Response Teams (QRTs)
have maintained their heightened alert status, including trained personnel on Camp
Coordination and Camp Management who are overseeing some 3,838 evacuation
centers -- 421 in Cavite; 449 in Laguna; 921 in Batangas; 438 in Rizal, and 1,609 in
Quezon province. (PNA)
San Mateo Municipal Jail

Compared to other jails that have developed increased exposure to risks

due to the gradual degradation through time, the San Mateo Municipal Jail
was built on limited available land with insufficient attention given to disaster
vulnerability. It was built on a flood-prone unelevated area below the main road.
As of February 2019, the jail report indicates a population of 557 PDLs in
the male dormitories and 120 in the female dormitories. With a total cell area
of 115 square meters for the four dormitories and ideal capacity of 34 PDLs,
the congestion rate of San Mateo Municipal Jail is at 2221%. The jail has 39
effective personnel to oversee and address the needs of the entire jail population.
Recent attempts to increase the space were made through vertical expansion of
the buildings at the cost of increased vulnerability to earthquakes.
Aside from having contingency plans or OPLANs, the participation of
PDLs is highly encouraged in preparation and response to disasters. Due to the
lack of personnel, the use of an informal management system is evident inside
the jail. In comparison to the other jails included in this study, the San Mateo
Municipal Jail has high regard and appreciation for the PDLs’ participation
and contributions regardless of the existence or absence of a disaster event. The
warden highly utilizes the PDLs as a “force multiplier” in the jail. Given this
openness of the jail administration and the willingness of the PDLs to participate,
good communication between the two parties is in place. This openness also
enabled the PDLs to realize their capacities while the jail officers utilized their
participation for better DRRM practices. Consequently, the PDLs also benefit
from this cooperation through the GCTA mechanism that may possibly help
shorten their prison sentences.
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) recognizes the critical
importance of disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) within its facilities. In
response to this, the BJMP has issued Memorandum Circular No. 87, which focuses
on mainstreaming DRRM across all levels of the organization.

1. Objective: The circular aims to provide a national framework for DRRM within
the BJMP and establish DRRM committees at the national headquarters (NHQ),
regional, and jail levels.
2. Legal Basis:
o Republic Act 9729: This act mainstreams climate change in government policy.
o Republic Act 10121: Strengthens the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management System, providing a national framework and institutionalizing the
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan.
o BJMP Memorandum Circular No. 2013-05: Focuses on climate change and
environmental awareness in jails (Eco-Jails Program).
o BJMP Manual, Revised 2010: Provides guidelines for disaster and prevention
management.
3. Challenges: Jails and persons deprived of liberty (PDL) face silent risks from
natural hazards and disasters. These hazards can be widespread (such as
tropical storms and earthquakes) or localized (such as floods and landslides).
Notably, typhoons like Ondoy (2009) and Yolanda (2013) severely impacted jails
in Metro Manila and Eastern Visayas, damaging facilities, lifelines, and records1.
4. BJMP DRRM Committees:
o Composition: These committees are responsible for mainstreaming and
designing comprehensive DRRM strategies. They provide advice to the Chief of
BJMP on policy matters related to DRRM.
o Functions: The committees play a crucial role in ensuring preparedness,
response, and recovery during disasters.

In summary, the BJMP is committed to enhancing disaster resilience within its facilities,
safeguarding both staff and detainees. The circular emphasizes proactive measures to
mitigate risks and promote safety in the face of natural calamities