A jail management expert should be hired to help run the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC).
Provincial Board Member Grecilda “Gigi” Sanchez gave this suggestion after Romeo Manansala, warden of CPDRC, failed to present substantial plans on how to run the facility during the budget hearing held last Monday.
Sanchez said the consultant should be someone with a penology management background.
“Someone with training from the (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology) would do just fine. I asked (Manansala) during the budget hearing what his plans were to curb the drug problem inside the jail, but he didn’t have any. Kami na lang ang ni-suggest,” said Sanchez.
Sanchez said that according to Manansala, the jail’s watchtower needs to be repaired and more closed circuit television (CCTV) units and K-9 dogs are also needed.
Sanchez said that during the hearing, Manansala revealed that he did not have a college degree, a requirement for provincial jail wardens.
But Sanchez said she isn’t worried because the warden is only acting as an officer-in-charge.
Sanchez said her recommendation to hire a consultant would not lead to Manansala’s sacking.
“That’s too much. He can stay. I’m only suggesting additional manpower. If the governor wants to hire a consultant, then good, for as long as someone can be there to help,” she said.
The board member said the recommendation is for her to decide but the final decision will solely come from Gov. Hilario Davide III alone.
Sanchez said Manansala admitted in the budget hearing that he needs help in managing the facility.
Considering the facility’s current population of more than 2,000 inmates, Sanchez said that there is a need to take things more seriously.
“Two thousand people is not a joke. You really need to look into it and get the right experts,” she said.
The budget hearing last Monday lasted for about two and a half hours because Manansala, who is seeking a P17 million increase in the jail’s current P70.7 million budget, failed to include programs to eliminate drug use inside the jail.
Sanchez said the growth in inmate population prompted the increase in budget for food. The facility also currently has a livelihood program for the inmates.
Once she is done consolidating all budget proposals for next year, Sanchez said she will submit her recommendation regarding the consultancy to the governor.
“There’s no need to hurry. It’s still November,” she said.