SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Region 1 continues to strive to keep the welfare of persons deprived of liberty (PDL) and the community through its enhanced efforts on illegal drugs eradication, making all jail facilities in the region 100 percent drug-free.
To date, the jail bureau holds 20 jail facilities with nine district jails, eight city jails, and three municipal jails.
The jail population in the region totals 2,252 individuals, including 1,059 people or 47 percent facing drug-related charges.
In a “Kapihan sa Ilocos” episode with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and its attached agencies, Jail Senior Superintendent Florante Nisperos, regional director of BJMP-1, emphasized the collaboration of efforts in this achievement.
“The management is steadfast in ensuring a drug-free workplace, thus, in partnership with Department of Health-Center for Health Development I through a memorandum of agreement. One hundred percent of personnel and at least 20 percent of PDLs have undergone drug testing that yielded negative results,” Nisperos said.
Greyhound operations to deter the entry of contraband, including drugs into jail facilities continue for BJMP Region 1.
In the past year, there were 17,884 regular operations and 127 joint operations conducted. For 2024, there have been 8,874 regular operations and 65 joint greyhound operations carried out with the assistance of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit (PNP DEG SOU).
“With all these accomplishments, BJMP Region 1 has been awarded as Best Region for two consecutive years. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of all the BJMP personnel of this Region, who have set a high standard for excellence and teamwork,” Nisperos added. By Rocky Bautista
