RA 9710 or the Magna Carta for Women mandates the delivery of necessary services and intervention to women in difficult circumstances that include women in detention, and children, as well, under RA 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.
By ALEX D. LOPEZ
Davao Today
KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato, Philippines — Women inmates in Cotabato, the elderly and the sick, including children in conflict with the law have been moved to a new jail facility.
The infrastructure, worth 6.5 million pesos (USD 0.15M) and is located in a separate 3.5-hectare area in Amas village, is provided by the provincial government.
Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, upon Wednesday’s turnover ceremony, stressed the importance of having a facility, especially for those who suffer illness.
“Hangtud walay final conviction dili nato pwedeng husgahan ang atong mga inmates. Tanan nga anaa dinhi sa provincial jail on-going pa ang hearing sa ilang kaso sa mga korte (We cannot judge our inmates until there is no final conviction. Their cases are still being heard in court),” Taliño-Mendoza said.
The improvement of the provincial jail’s facilities started in 2010 after representatives from the courts, prosecutors, public attorney’s office and the Philippine National Police sought the support of the local government in the absence of fund from their head offices.
In 2011, the local government also allocated funds for the construction of a separate building worth more than a million pesos to house those considered high-risk prisoners.
At present, there are 786 adult inmates detained at the Cotabato provincial jail, 40 of whom are women.
RA 9710 or the Magna Carta for Women mandates the delivery of necessary services and intervention to women in difficult circumstances that include women in detention, and children, as well, under RA 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.
Apart from improving the jail facility, the provincial government will also train police prosecutors from each municipality to address the scarcity of prosecution personnel.
At present, the office of the provincial prosecutor receives 100 cases a month. But provincial prosecutor Jose Agerico de Guzman said they only have four regular fiscals and two assistant prosecuting attorneys serving six Regional Trial Courts, three Municipal Trial Courts and six Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in the province. (Alex D. Lopez/davaotoday.com)
