Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
WHAT IS BJMP?
Many of our constituents often refer to the BJMP as “Policemen”. Though our colleagues from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) have some similarities in uniform and in posture, as well as in their duties and functions, there is a big difference in their sworn duties and functions. In this issue, we would like to give the general public an overview on the distinct identity, functions and role of the BJMP to the society as a part of the Five (5) Pillars of the Criminal Justice System. It is therefore our obligation to keep the people updated on the accomplishments, programs and projects of the BJMP Tagudin Municipal Jail (TMJ) as a specific unit that is based in our beloved town of Tagudin.
THE SEPARATION OF THE TRI-BUREAUS OF THE DILG
Republic Act No. 6975, otherwise known as the “Department of Interior and Local Government Act of 1990”, provided that the task of jail management and penology shall be the responsibility of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). Based on this mandate, the BJMP defined its vision, mission, powers, functions, values, objectives and principles as an institution, in a consultative and participatory strategic planning session. Subsequently, Republic Act No. 9263, also known as the “Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Professionalization Act of 2004”, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations strengthened the provisions of RA 6975, redefined many of the BJMP’s existing policies and restructured the Bureau’s organization. 1
OUR MANDATE
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology was created on January 2, 1991 pursuant to Republic Act 6975, replacing its forerunner, the Office of Jail Management and Penology of the defunct Philippine Constabulary/Integrated National Police. The BJMP has jurisdiction over all district, city and municipal jails. It is a line bureau of the Department of the Interior and Local Governments (DILG). As such, it shall ensure the establishment of secured, clean, adequately equipped and sanitary facilities and provision of quality services for the custody, safekeeping and development of district, city and municipal inmates, any fugitive from justice, or person detained, awaiting or undergoing investigation or trial and/or transfer to the National Penitentiary, and/or violent mentally ill person who endangers him/herself or the safety of others as certified by the proper medical or health officer, pending transfer to a mental institution. 2
THE BJMP’S VISION
The BJMP envisions itself as a dynamic institution highly regarded for its sustained humane safekeeping and development of inmates. 3
THE BJMP’S MISSION
The Bureau aims to enhance public safety by providing humane safekeeping and development of inmates in all district, city and municipal jails. 4
With the above cited information, it is our hope that we have given you a general overview of the BJMP’s role and function and its distinct difference from the other branches of the uniformed service.
The Tagudin Municipal Jail is covering a total of six (6) municipalities namely: Sugpon, Alilem, Cervantes, Suyo, Quirino and Tagudin, all from the southern part of the province of Ilocos Sur because it is only in Tagudin where a Regional Trial Court is situated.
Various development projects such as infrastructure and livelihood programs is being implemented to live up to our mandate. The Local Government Unit, headed by no less than the Municipal Mayor, Hon. Roque S. Verzosa, Jr., had been very supportive of the programs and projects being undertaken by the TMJ. The Tagudin General Hospital and Capillariasis Center, under its Chief of Hospital, Dr. Eugene Dauz also provided free medical/dental mission for the inmates, the RHU, under Dr. Aly John Lopez continues to help monitor inmates who are sick, the DILG Officer, Mr. Manuel Dumagpi is likewise giving his support to the TMJ. Various individuals and businessmen like Mr. Danilo Sevilla of Sevilla Woodcraft provided a livelihood project for the inmates, Mrs. Maria Rosario Borje Maceren of Borje’s Pharmacy is also helping in the provision of medicines for the inmates of Tagudin Municipal Jail. Sr. Consuelo Gacutan, the Principal of Saint Augustine’s School likewise supports the project for the fortification of the perimeter fence between the jail and the Saint Augustine’s School. Many more of our townspeople are giving their support for the development of the TMJ.
The BJMP just recently funded the construction of a jail kitchen to make the preparation of the food for the inmates better and more sanitary. And, many jail practices are being implemented to cause the rehabilitation and transformation of inmates to become productive members of the society when their time will come to be reintegrated to its mainstream.
Despite the projects/programs being undertaken, we are still far from reaching our goal of making the TMJ a model municipal jail facility in Region I or probably, in the whole country. We will continue to move for the attainment of that goal, for we believe in the battlecry of the municipal administration, ASAP TAGUDIN!
We most welcome your comments/suggestions. You can e-mail us at tagudinmunicipaljail@yahoo.com.
1- excerpted from BJMP Manual Revised 2007 page 1
2- excerpted from BJMP Manual Revised 2007 page 1
3- excerpted from BJMP Manual Revised 2007 page 1
4- excerpted from BJMP Manual Revised 2007 page 1
DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A JAIL OFFICER?
………THEN JOIN THE BJMP…
QUALIFICATIONS FOR ADMISSION:
- Natural born Filipino citizen;
- Of good moral character;
- Not less than 21 or more than 30 years of age at the time of appointment;
- At least 5’4” (1.62m) for male, 5’2” (1.57m) for female;
- Weigh not more or less than 5 kgs of the standard weight measurement corresponding to height, age and sex;
- A baccalaureate degree holder;
- A CS eligible (CS Prof., RA 1080, Penology Officer, PD 907)
- Not having any criminal, administrative or civil case on file before any Prosecutor’s Office or any Court of Justice or other derogatory record(s); and
- Physically and mentally fit
WILLING TO:
- Undergo four (4) months of rigorous physical and educational training;
- Be assigned in any part of the country;
- Safeguard and develop inmates to promote public safety;
- Receive monthly salary equivalent to that of Police and Fire NORs
For inquiries on recruitment process, you may contact:
BJMP – Directorate for Human Resource and Records Management
Juco Bldg., No. 144 Mindanao Ave., Proj 8, Quezon City
Tel Nos. (+632)9276383/4531196/4561184;
Any BJMP Regional Offices or visit our website www.bjmp.gov.ph
