By Atty. JULIUS GREGORY B. DELGADO
FIRST (1ST) BOHOL JAIL DECONGESTION SUMMIT
With the theme “Dignity Behind Bars: Uniting Towards Restorative Justice and Preparing the Path for Community Reintegration”, the first-ever Bohol Jail Decongestion Summit will proceed as scheduled on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. The Summit will signal the launching of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Bohol Chapter’s Jail Decongestion Program dubbed as Mapagpalaya.
IBP-Bohol’s Jail Decongestion Program aims to give life, implement and operationalize the Memorandum of Agreement dated 15 April 2024 (“IBP-BJMP MOA”) between IBP National and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (“BJMP”) which recognizes the importance of fostering a harmonious relationship and cooperation among stakeholders to ensure that the number of years of detention of PDL under the custody of BJMP is closely monitored and the PDLs who may need legal representation be duly coordinated with the IBP for assistance. In line with the respective roles of the IBP and BJMP under the IBP-BJMP MOA, Mapagpalaya’s objectives are to: 1) develop a Database and Case Management System of all PDLs in the District and City Jails of the Province of Bohol; 2) identify overstaying PDLs and provide assistance for their immediate release; 3) identify those PDLs without representation and provide assistance if they qualify to the IBP-Bohol’s Legal Aid Program in light of the proposed Unified Legal Aid Service; and 4) provide Seminars and Livelihood Program to PDLs.
The Opening Program will be from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. which will start with the singing of the National Anthem, Bohol Hymn and IBP March. Yours truly will deliver the Opening Remarks and Statement of Purpose. Keynote Speaker will be no less than the Regional Director of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Jail Supt. Neil R. Avisado, followed by Inspirational Messages from Hon. Lindecita C. Arcamo and Atty. Marcelino Michael Atanante, Executive Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Tagbilaran City, Bohol and the IBP National Center for Legal Aid Director, respectively.
Atty. Mary Grace Casano of the IBP-Cebu City Chapter and two-time IBP National Awardee for Most Outstanding Legal Aid Lawyer, will be the Resource Speaker who will deliver a Lecture on the Best Practices in Jail Decongestion and Database Building: The IBP-Cebu City Jail Decongestion Experience. It will be followed by an Open Forum and Sharing of Insights and Inputs to be facilitated by Atty. Jervis Clifford Vertulfo, IBP-Bohol Director and Mapagpalaya Coordinator.
After lunch, Atty. Marlo V. Destura, IBP Governor for Eastern Visayas, will open the Afternoon Session with an Inspirational Speech. Indirectly related and beneficial to Mapagpalaya is the lecture of on the New National Prosecution Service (NPS) Rules on Inquest and Preliminary Investigation to be discussed by Prosecutors Eric U. Ucat and Adolfo M. Doroy. This will be followed by a Commitment from the Participants, Scheduling of Jail Decongestion Visits in District and City Jails and Data Gathering Orientation. This will be followed by a Breakout Session/Planning for the Jail Decongestion Visits in the following jails: Bohol District Jail – Male and Female Dormitories, Tagbilaran City Jail, Carmen District Jail, Talibon District Jail and Ubay District Jail.
Closing Ceremony will then follow awarding the Plaques of Appreciation and Certificates of Appreciation. Vice President Atty. John Jeric Lim will deliver the Closing Remarks. The Summit will conclude with a Jail Visit at the Bohol District Jail – Male Dormitory. The Summit will be hosted by Attys. Luke Marnel Matutes and Queenie Marie Alas.