New Misor jail in Initao nears completion

THE new Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail (MOPJ) is nearing completion, a government official bared recently.

In an interview, Provincial Board Member Gerardo Sabal III said the new prison facility is now 75 percent complete, and full completion is expected to be within the year.

The new prison facility is located on a five-hectare property in Initao town and once finished will be the biggest provincial jail in the country, Sabal told reporters.

The new jail will have more than a dozen buildings with watch towers, water reservoirs, solar-powered street lights, and primary, and secondary perimeter fences.

Sabal, who accompanied the provincial government team led by Gov. Peter M. Unabia in inspecting the progress of the facility in March, said there will be separate complexes for male, female, and minor inmates.

He added part of the plan is an area for agriculture where occupants can grow crops and raise livestock so they can attain food self-sufficiency.

The provincial lawmaker said it is high time that the MOPJ be transferred to a location away from the urban center since the existing one is already overcrowded.

“Because of overcrowding, most of the inmates are living in what we call ‘inhumane’ conditions. In fact, others are sleeping on hammocks. We know they are serving the crimes they have committed, but let’s give them dignity while undergoing reformation,” Sabal said.

Sabal’s colleague Provincial Board Member Bliss Francis Acain, who’s also a resident of Initao, welcomed the transfer of the MOPJ to his hometown.

“That would mean additional economic opportunities for my townmates, especially in the public transport system. Since the new MOPJ is located three kilometers from the poblacion, our habal-habal and tricab drivers can really earn by ferrying visitors and workers to and from the MOPJ,” Acain added.