The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is ramping up efforts to address severe congestion in jails nationwide and improve conditions for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), amid growing concerns over overcrowded detention facilities.
Reforms in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) are now a priority following initiatives previously introduced in the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), according to DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
He described jail congestion as one of the most serious problems facing the BJMP, noting that overcrowding continues to strain operations and negatively affect inmate welfare.
“Ang problema ng BJMP ay overcrowding,” Remulla said, citing detention facilities where hundreds of inmates are cramped into small spaces designed for far fewer occupants.
Latest BJMP data showed that although congestion rates have slightly improved since 2022, overcrowding remains widespread. Of the country’s 488 jail facilities, 351 are still considered overcrowded, with the average congestion rate reaching 279 percent.
The DILG chief stressed that poor jail conditions should no longer be treated as a secondary concern, saying humane detention facilities are essential to an effective justice system and public safety.
He added that the government is pursuing jail decongestion and facility improvement projects through proposed budget allocations and stronger coordination with other agencies.
Remulla also acknowledged the support being extended by local government units to detention facilities, although he noted that assistance varies depending on available local resources.
According to the DILG, improving jail conditions will require sustained cooperation between national agencies and local governments to build safer, more humane, and more functional detention centers across the country.