CAGAYAN de Oro City— Persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in Northern Mindanao are now receiving more funding for their daily meals, with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) raising the food allocation from P70 to P100 per day.
BJMP-10 Regional Director Jail Chief Superintendent Felixberto Jagorin Jr. said the higher allocation is now being implemented in BJMP-managed facilities across Region 10 and has helped improve conditions inside the jails.
The P100 daily budget translates to about P33.33 for each of three meals, with afternoon snacks also provided.
“P100 per day, that is P33.33 per meal. Meron pang snacks sa hapon,” Jagorin said during the Talakayan sa PIA on Tuesday.
He said the increased budget remains challenging because it also covers other food-related expenses, including firewood, but BJMP-10 has managed to provide meals within the allocation.
More than 6,000 PDLs are housed in over 26 operational BJMP facilities across Northern Mindanao.
Jagorin said the agency has also seen fewer disturbances inside its facilities compared with previous years, which he attributed partly to improved conditions and the availability of programs for PDLs.
“Compared before na puro noise barrage, puro riot, puro may masakit ang mga PDL. Ngayon ang ganda, may programs, umangat ang status ng mga PDL,” he said.
For families of PDLs and the public, the increased meal allocation is significant because food is one of the basic daily needs that jail authorities must provide while people remain in custody.
Jagorin said BJMP facilities follow a regular menu approved by the agency's national headquarters to help ensure that meals meet the nutritional needs of PDLs.
The menu considers the basic “go, grow and glow” nutritional requirements, he said.
BJMP-10 also manages the P100 allocation by purchasing food supplies directly from farmers, allowing the agency to obtain products at more manageable prices.
Jagorin said the approach helps stretch the limited food budget while supporting local agricultural producers.
